The appeal to the people

Bellows, George, 1882-1925 · 1923–1924

A newspaper photograph attached to the mat of a crayon drawing of this subject in the Wiggin Collection, Boston Public Library, is a clue to the mystery of the nature of the appeal and to whom it was made. The caption reads: "Éamon De Valera speaks in County Clare 1923." American born De Valera (1882-1975) spent his childhood in Ireland and became a leader of the unsuccessful Easter Rebellion in 1916. After his release from jail in 1917 De Valera was elected to the British Parliament. The Sinn Fein convention in 1917 elected him "President of the Irish Republic," a paper organization. Again imprisoned for one year, he escaped and fled to the United States. In 1921 De Valera took part in negotiations with the British government that established the Irish Free State. However, the settlement divided Ireland and De Valera would not accept the division. He opposed the settlement, and was arrested once again at the approximate time recorded in this lithograph. (Mason)