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[[Image:Eamon de Valera.jpg|right]]
[[Image:Eamon de Valera.jpg|right]]
'''Éamon de Valera''' (New York, October 14, 1882 - Dublin, August 29, 1975) was a politician and mathematician, Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of [[Ireland]] from 1951-1959 and President from 1959-1973. He was an important figure in the [[Easter Rising]], the Irish War for Independence (from the United Kingdom), and the Irish Civil War. De Valera dominated post-independence Irish politics for forty years.
'''Éamon de Valera''' (New York, October 14, 1882 - Dublin, August 29, 1975) was an Irish politician, Prime Minister (Taoiseach) of [[Ireland]] from 1951-1959 and President from 1959-1973. He was an important figure in the [[Easter Rising]], the Irish War for Independence (from Britain), and the Irish Civil War. De Valera as Taoiseach (prime minister) dominated post-independence Irish politics for forty years.
== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==
De Valera was born in [[New York City]] to an Irish mother, Catherine Coll de Valera, who had immigrated from [[County Limerick]], and Vivion de Valera, a [[Spain|Spanish]] artist. Catherine and Vivion were married in September 1881 in Jersey City, NJ<ref>[http://aoh32.org/2006_09_01_archive.html Ancient Order of Hibernians]</ref>. Vivion died in 1885, and the young Éamon went to live in Ireland with his uncle in Bruree, Limerick. At 16, de Valera enrolled at Blackrock College in [[Dublin]], and won several scholarships and awards. In 1903 he was hired as a mathematics teacher at Rockwell College in [[County Tipperary]]. He later returned to teach at Blackrock College after earing a mathematics degree from the Royal University of Ireland.
De Valera was born in New York City to an Irish mother, Catherine Coll de Valera, who had immigrated from [[County Limerick]], and Vivion de Valera, a [[Spain|Spanish]] artist. Catherine and Vivion were married in September 1881 in Jersey City, NJ<ref>[http://aoh32.org/2006_09_01_archive.html Ancient Order of Hibernians]</ref>. Vivion died in 1885, and the young Éamon went to live in Ireland with his uncle in Bruree, Limerick. At 16, de Valera enrolled at Blackrock College in [[Dublin]], and won several scholarships and awards. In 1903 he was hired as a mathematics teacher at Rockwell College in [[County Tipperary]]. He later returned to teach at Blackrock College after earing a mathematics degree from the Royal University of Ireland.
== Initial Political Activity ==
== Initial Political Activity ==
== Later Years ==
== Later Years ==
De Valera and the Dáil nearly unanimously believed that neutrality during [[World War II]] was the best policy, although the government assisted in fighting fires in [[Belfast]] after a [[Luftwaffe]] raid. In 1945, de Valera was the only head of any state to extend condolences following [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler's]] death.
De Valera and the Dáil nearly unanimously believed that neutrality during [[World War II]] was the best policy. The government refused to allow Ameircan or British forces to use its airports or seaports. In 1945, de Valera was the only head of any state to extend condolences following Hitler's death.
Fianna Fáil was replaced in 1948 by a coalition government, but regained control in 1957. De Valera remained as Taoiseach (prime minister) until 1959, when he was elected President, an office from which he retired in 1973 at age 90. His son, [[Vivion de Valera]], served in the Dáil, as did his granddaughter [[Sile de Valera]]. A grandson, [[Eamon O Cuiv|Éamon Ó Cuív]] is a current TD.
Fianna Fáil was replaced in 1948 by a coalition government, but regained control in 1957. De Valera remained as Taoiseach (prime minister) until 1959, when he was elected President, an office from which he retired in 1973 at age 90. His son, [[Vivion de Valera]], served in the Dáil, as did his granddaughter [[Sile de Valera]]. A grandson, [[Eamon O Cuiv|Éamon Ó Cuív]] is a current TD.