James Connolly

Date of Birth: June 5, 1868

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: May 12, 1916

Biography

James Connolly was a renowned Irish politician, socialist leader, and revolutionary born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents. Connolly’s life was marked by his steadfast dedication to the rights of the working class and his pivotal role in the labor movement in Ireland. He became an influential figure in Irish politics and was a key leader in the 1916 Easter Rising, an armed insurrection aimed at ending British rule in Ireland and establishing an independent Irish Republic. Connolly’s early life was one of hardship. He left school at the age of 11 to work and help support his family, which instilled in him a deep understanding of the struggles faced by the working class. He joined the British Army at 14 but deserted after a few years, disgusted by the harsh conditions and colonial policies he witnessed. By the late 1890s, Connolly had become heavily involved in socialist politics, founding the Irish Socialist Republican Party. His writings and speeches called for the unification of the Irish labor movement with the broader struggle for Irish independence. He believed that true freedom for Ireland could only be achieved through socialism. Connolly’s activism led him to the United States for a period, where he continued his work with labor movements. Upon returning to Ireland, he became the leader of the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union (ITGWU) and played a significant role in the 1913 Dublin Lock-out, a major industrial dispute between thousands of workers and their employers. In 1916, Connolly co-founded the Irish Citizen Army, a small paramilitary group composed of socialist trade union members. The Easter Rising saw Connolly and other leaders proclaim the Irish Republic from the steps of the General Post Office in Dublin. Although the Rising was suppressed, and Connolly was captured and executed by a British firing squad, his legacy lived on, inspiring future generations of Irish republicans and socialists.

5 Interesting Facts about James Connolly

1. James Connolly was one of the few leaders of the Easter Rising who had significant military experience.

2. He founded the Irish Socialist Republican Party in 1896.

3. Connolly was severely wounded during the Easter Rising and was executed while strapped to a chair due to his injuries.

4. He spent several years in the United States, where he worked with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

5. Connolly’s writings, including “Labour in Irish History,” remain influential in socialist and labor circles.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Connolly

1. “The cause of labor is the cause of Ireland; the cause of Ireland is the cause of labor.”

2. “We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times.”

3. “No revolutionary movement is complete without its poetical expression.”

4. “The great appear great because we are on our knees: Let us rise.”

5. “A man who does not feel that he owes something to every one of his fellow-men is not a man.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

James Connolly did not accumulate significant personal wealth; his highest net worth was negligible as he dedicated his life to political activism and labor rights.

Children

James Connolly had seven children with his wife, Lillie Connolly. His children included Nora Connolly, who followed in her father’s footsteps and became a prominent political activist.