W.T. Cosgrave

William Thomas Cosgrave (Irish name Liam Tomás Mac Cosgair; June 6, 1880 – November 16, 1965), known generally as W.T. Cosgrave, was an Irish politician who succeeded Michael Collins as Chairman of the Irish Provisional Government from August to December 1922. He served as the first President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State from 1922 to 1932.

Early and Private Life

William Thomas Cosgrave, or W.T. as he was generally known, was born at 174 James's St, Dublin in 1880. He was educated at the Christian Brothers School at Malahide Road, Marino, before entering his father's publican's business. Cosgrave first became politically active when he attended the first Sinn Féin convention in 1905. He was a Sinn Féin councillor on Dublin Corporation from 1909 until 1922 and joined the Irish Volunteers in 1913. Cosgrave played an active role in the Easter Rising of 1916 serving under Eamonn Ceannt at the South Dublin Union. Following the rebellion Cosgrave was sentenced to death, however this was later commuted to penal servitude for life and he was interned in Frongoch, Wales. While in prison Cosgrave won a seat for Sinn Féin in a 1917 by-election. He again won an Irish seat in the 1918 General Election, serving as MP for Carlow-Kilkenny. He was released from prison in 1918 under a general amnesty and took part in the soon to be established Dáil Éireann. On June 24, 1919 Cosgrave married Louisa Flanagan in Dublin.

Related Topics:
Dublin - Christian Brothers - Sinn Féin - 1905 - Dublin Corporation - 1909 - 1922 - Irish Volunteers - 1913 - Easter Rising - 1916 - Eamonn Ceannt - Wales - 1918 General Election - MP - Carlow-Kilkenny - Dáil Éireann - June 24 - 1919 - Louisa Flanagan

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