William Thomas Cosgrave: Biography from Answers.com Mobile

William Thomas Cosgrave

(born June 6, 1880, Dublin, Ire. — died Nov. 16, 1965, Dublin) Irish statesman, first president of the Executive Council (prime minister) of the Irish Free State (1922 – 32). Early attracted to Sinn Féin, he took part in the 1916 Easter Rising and was interned briefly by the British. As president of the Executive Council, he restored settled government in Ireland after the civil war of 1922 – 23. He continued in office despite various crises until Eamon de Valera's victory in 1932. In 1944 he resigned as head of the Fine Gael ("Irish Race") party. His son Liam served as prime minister in 1973 – 77.

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