Why did Eamon de valera become famous?

Answer 1

Eamon De Valera was one of the leaders of the 1916 Easter rising. He was imprisoned afterwards and sentenced to death by the British government, but was later released because he was an American and the USA threatened to switch sides in the Great War (WW1) if he was executed. He escaped from prison in 1917 and was elected leader of the Sinn Fein party.

In 1918, he was the founding leader of the 'Dial Eireann', the 1st independent government of Ireland. However in 1919 the Dial was made illegal by the British government, and De Valera was imprisoned.

Later in 1920-1921 De Valera was one of the Irish leaders during the Anglo-Irish War. When the treaty was signed in 1921 partitioning Southern Ireland and Ulster, De Valera was completely opposed to this. He formed a separate group with some supporting members of Sinn Fein who also opposed the Treaty called the Irregulars.

In 1922, civil war broke out between the Irregulars and the 'Free Staters'. The Free Staters were those who supported the signing of the Treaty. De Valera lead the Irregulars throughout that entire war.

Finally, when Free State Ireland was established, De Valera was elected Prime Minister of Ireland in 1932, 1951, 1957, and President of Ireland in 1959 until he retired in 1973.

Answer 2

Eamon de Valera became famous for his prominent role in the Irish struggle for independence from British rule. He played a key role in drafting and negotiating the Anglo-Irish Treaty that led to the creation of the Irish Free State. De Valera's subsequent leadership as Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and President of Ireland further solidified his fame and influence in Irish politics.