DANIEL O'CONNELL

"The Liberator," an engraved portrait framed together with a postmarked front of a letter signed by Daniel O'Connell and dated 1835. // Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847), the "Liberator," was born at Carhen, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry. At an early age he was adopted by his wealthy childless uncle, Maurice "Hunting Cap" O'Connell, the head of the old Catholic family of the O'Connells, and was brought up by him at Derrynane. Educated at St. Omer and Douay, he left France at the time of the Revolution and studied law in London. He was called to the Irish bar in 1798; spoke strongly against the Union; killed D'Esterre in a duel in 1815; joined the Catholic Association in 1823. He was returned as M.P. for Clare in 1828; this forced the granting of emancipation the following year. Became M.P. for Dublin in 1832; founded the Repeal Association in 1840, greatly helped by "The Nation," which was founded in 1842 by Charles Gavan Duffy. He died at Genoa while on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1847.// The figure of Daniel O'Connell stands astride nineteenth century Irish history like a colossus. A political innovator of great significance, his role in the politicisation of the Irish masses was enormous, his means of political organization were revolutionary, and his character was larger than life. Image, 5 1/4 by 4 1/4 inches; Total framed, 19 1/2 by 12 inches Categories: