Radical thinkers and reformers
Daniel O’Connell: Radical thinker and reformer, (1775-1847). PART 1: This
is part of my research for contributions to the Digital History blog and for the next Reform seminar. It is also part of the research I did at
the last workshop in Digital Histories
on March 31, 2012. We prepared some historical notes to post as a draft blog
page.
Daniel O’Connell was Irish and he played
a significant role in the Reform and Radical movements of the 18th and 19th centuries along with people like Thomas Paine and William
Cobbett. He caught my attention because of the non-violent nature of his political campaign. This was so unlike
the later 19th and 20th century extreme violence that is associated
with Irish Nationalists.
Background: The
eldest of ten children, he was part of an ancient Gaelic landowning family from
County Kerry. However as part of the family’s Celtic tradition he was brought
up in a foster family in a peasant’s cottage in Cahirciveen. "Daniel O'Connell."
Encyclopaedia.com. 31 Mar. 2012 http://www.encyclopedia.com.
As a result of this he learnt the Irish
language and grew familiar with traditional customs. He always connected with
the ordinary people of Ireland.
Education: He
became an unofficial heir to his Uncle’s Maurice’s estate in Derrynane, Co. Kerry
where he received private and boarding school education. He and one of his brothers
were sent to the European continent and educated at English colleges in St.
Omer and Douai.
The French Revolution and the subsequent events that
followed led to the flight of the O’Connells from Douai to London. Along with
other Irishmen their future prospects lay in the world of George the Third. Relaxation
of the Penal regulations meant that Irish Catholics could study and practise law. D.
O’Connell started his legal career at the end of 1793 in London. After a couple
of years at Gray’s Inn he returned to Ireland where he finished his legal
apprenticeship at King’s Inn, Dublin. He became a very successful barrister; popular
with middling and lower classes of the Irish population.
Influences: O’Connell
read Shakespeare and Voltaire, T.Paine’s Age
of Reason, W.Godwin’s Political
Justice and A. Smith’s Wealth of
Nations. He was a key part of the Enlightenment era which initially
contributed to his skeptical views of religion. He later returned to
Catholicism; but the London democratic radicalism of the 1790’s continued to be
a vital part of his ideology.
The impact of the American War
(1775-6), close contact with the French Revolution (1789) and the Irish
Rebellion (1798) meant that O’Connell was strongly opposed to violence. He avoided
it as much as he could; and preferred to use constitutional and legislative
means to battle for his causes. This was a steady theme that dominated his
entire political career.
Politics: He went on to become one of the main campaigners for
Catholic Emancipation and was heavily involved in petitioning for the Repeal of
the Act of Union (1801). He was known as the Liberator and is associated with
Irish Nationalism. However his support for disadvantaged groups such as Jews,
black slaves and Australian aborigines is not well known.
PART II to follow!
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