De Valera was born in New York City on October 4, 1882. His mother was an Irish immigrant and his father was originally from Spain. After his father's death in 1885, he returned to Ireland to live with his grandmother in Ireland. Young de Valera progressed easily through school, excelling in mathematics especially (O'Neill, 6). Eventually, he became a teacher, moving from one position to another at various schools and colleges. His growing interest in the Irish language led him to join the Gaelic League, which he did so in 1908 (O'Neill, 15). It was there that he meant Sinead Flanagan and two years later they were married. Reflective of their commitment to the Irish language is the fact that they insisted on the ceremony being performed in Gaelic and even went so far as to the teach the priest his lines (O'Neill, 16).
By 1913 the situation in Ireland was rapidly getting out of control. Ulstermen drilled openly and were tacitly supported by the local British military officials (MacManus, 15). De Valera joined the National Volunteer movement in 1913 because he felt that it would take the efforts of everyone in Ireland in order to secure her independence (MacManus, 18). When war broke out in Europe, de Valera stood with the minority who refused to fight for any country but Ireland. This was his first of many breaks with the mainstream Irish politicians and leaders. While sitting out the war, he joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a choice that would eventually lead him to take part in disastrous Easter Rebellion. On Easter, 1916, the Irish Republic was declared as forces led by Padraic Pearse seized the General Post Office in Dublin. For his part, de Valera was in charge of defending the critical approach to Dublin from Kingstown at Westland Row railway station(Gwynn, 34). He placed what few men he had along this route and set up his headquarters in Boland's flour mill(MacManus, 27). De Valera's natural leadership and command presence enabled him to maintain order and present a viable defensive front with under one hundred poorly trained, though enthusiastic soldiers. Pearse was forced to surrender on Saturday, and Sunday De Valera marched his men out to lay down their arms.
The leaders of the Easter Rising, who had signed the Republican Proclamation and those who had led units during the fighting were all put to death for treason. However, when the came to de Valera and interesting situation arose, one which would save his life. Because his mother was a citizen of the United States, her son was assumed to be one as well. Irish-Americans argued passionately that he was not and could therefore not be accused of treason. The British, who desperately needed American aid for the fighting in Europe, did not want to lose the backing of the United States. At first he received the death sentence, but then this was commuted to life in prison, as the British bowed to English and world opinion against their treatment of the rebels(Bromage, 60). They were released just over a year later, and on his return, de Valera began what would become a long and distinguished career in the politics of Ireland.
When the prisoners arrived back in Ireland from the imprisonment at Dartmoor in England, they were met by crowds of Irishmen, cheering them and shouting, "Up the Republic"(Bromage, 64). In prison, the surviving members of the Easter Rising had decided to organize "for the sake of the Republic" and de Valera was elected as their spokesman(Bromage, 65). It was here that de Valera became dedicated to the idea of an Irish Republic and nothing less. He was the leader of Sinn Fein, elected to Parliament and a rising star in Ireland. To top it off he was voted President of Sinn Fein and also the Irish Volunteers(Ryan, 81). The success of Sinn Fein worried the British and so they concocted a conspiracy concerning the Irish and the Germans. Claiming Sinn Fein was involved, they rounded up all the leaders of the party and imprisoned them. So, on May 17, 1918, de Valera was again placed in an English prison.
While de Valera was in Lincoln Jail, Michael Collins ran Sinn Fein and also plotted the escape of the party's imprisoned leader. The fame and presence of de Valera was needed at the peace conference that had convened at the end of World War I. Sinn Fein controlled Ireland and she demanding independence. De Valera escaped on February 3, 1919 and when the British just released the remaining prisoners it became a moot point. He was re-elected President of Sinn Fein and threw all his energy into gaining support for Irish independence(Ryan, 96).
Just a few months after returning to Ireland, de Valera left for America and a fund raising tour. He travelled around the U.S. and with the help of powerful Irish-Americans he was able to raise in excess of 5 million dollars (Encarta CD-ROM, 1994). While he was overseas raising money for the cause, Collins was leading the fighting against the English. Using hit and run tactics, he brought the British to the negotiating table. The delegation sent to gain independence for Ireland was led by Michael Collins. The proposed treaty by the English called for the removal of all troops from Ireland, the establishment of an Irish Free State and their own government. In return Ireland had to swear fealty to the king of England and Ulster would remain in the United Kingdom. At first, the delegates held out, but under pressure from British threats of renewed fighting, they broke down and signed, without consulting Dublin and de Valera(MacManus, 125). This treaty divided Ireland, and began a civil war. On one side was Collins and the supporters of the Irish Free State. They believed that the treaty was the best they were going to get, and that Ireland should take it. De Valera opposed the treaty from the start. He claimed it was not what the people wanted, it was not independence and unity. More importantly, there could be no independence without unity and therefore, and he would not advise that the Daile pass the treaty(MacManus, 130). Despite, his own efforts and those of his supporters, the treaty was ratified by a vote of 64 to 57(MacManus, 141).
During the civil war that went on from July, 1922 to May, 1923. For his part, de Valera re- enlisted in the Republican cause as a private and took no part in controlling the actions of the Republican forces. Although Michael Collins was killed in an ambush, the Free state forces slowly ground down the Republicans with the support of British weapons and artillery. All attempts at compromise and peace failed. Only the surrender of the men fighting for the Republic would end the fighting, the Provisional Government run by the Free State supporters would accept nothing less.
With their situation worsening daily, the Republican Army finally gave in and ended the civil war. Almost immediately, de Valera began working to restructure Sinn Fein and focus its activities on the political plane. To do so he decided to give himself up and on August 12, 1923, Eamon de Valera was imprisoned for the third time in his life, this time by his own countrymen. As with his other periods of incarceration, this one was relatively short, only eleven months.
Following his release, de Valera again set about working for the Republican cause with Sinn Fein. Unfortunately, internal power shifts while he was in prison had changed the face of Sinn Fein. It would not participate in Free State government and de Valera felt that this stance would only be counter productive. Therefore, in April of 1926 he founded Fianna Fail. This new party was dedicated to the Republican cause, but was determined to effect changes from the inside(O'Neill, 245). His fame and experience propelled him to the presidency of the executive council of the Irish Free State and it was there that he was able to oversee the rewriting of the Irish constitution(Encarta CD-ROM, 1994). That year was 1937 and in the same year Eamon de Valera was elected prime minister of Ireland, a position he would hold until 1948.
At the same time as his party was gaining support throughout Ireland, de Valera spent several years working as a member of the League of Nations. He was committed to the idea of the League so that nations could work together to promote peace and prosperity. He was president of the League of Nations council in 1932 and then in 1938 he served as president of the assembly.
During World War II, Ireland remained neutral, though supportive of the British. De Valera, though not an isolationist, supported a neutral stance because as a small nation, Ireland had "everything to lose and nothing to gain."(O'Neill, 348) Through out the war there was almost constant pressure from both Britain and the U.S. for Ireland to give up its neutrality, but throughout Ireland led by de Valera remained firm.
The leadership and presence of Eamon de Valera was so much that from 1937 to 1959 only two 3-year terms passed when he was not Prime Minister. As Prime Minister he sought to bring Ireland forward industrially, educationally and socially. Although a devout Catholic, he refused to support any anti-Protestant legislation, and he earned the respect of both Catholics and Protestants for his fairness. In 1959, he was elected president and served two 7-year terms, despite of his near blindness.
Through out his life Eamon De Valera fought for Irish unity and independence and although he never saw his dream of a united Ireland, the dedication, passion, equality and courage with which he stood for what he believed in was instrumental is bringing Ireland to where it is today.