# Wolfe Tone > Irish politician (1763-1798) **Wikidata**: [Q437962](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q437962) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfe_Tone) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wolfe-tone ## Summary Theobald Wolfe Tone was an Irish politician and revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the late 18th-century struggle for Irish independence from British rule. As a founding member of the Society of United Irishmen, he advocated for a unified Ireland free from sectarian divisions. His efforts culminated in the 1798 Rebellion, a defining moment in Irish history, though he died by suicide while in British custody later that year. ## Biography - **Born:** June 20, 1763 - **Nationality:** Kingdom of Ireland (now Ireland) - **Education:** Trinity College, Dublin - **Known for:** Founding the Society of United Irishmen and leading the 1798 Rebellion - **Employer(s):** Not specified - **Field(s):** Politics, revolutionary activism ## Contributions - **Society of United Irishmen (1791):** Co-founded this liberal political organization to advance Irish republicanism and unity across religious lines. - **1798 Rebellion:** Played a key organizational role in the uprising against British rule, though the rebellion was ultimately suppressed. - **Autobiographies:** Authored memoirs detailing his political beliefs and revolutionary activities, providing critical historical insights. ## FAQs Q: What was Wolfe Tone's role in the 1798 Rebellion? A: He was a key organizer and advocate for the uprising, though he was captured by British forces before its conclusion. Q: What organizations was Wolfe Tone affiliated with? A: He co-founded the Society of United Irishmen in 1791, a group central to his revolutionary efforts. Q: How did Wolfe Tone die? A: He died by suicide on November 19, 1798, while imprisoned by British authorities in Dublin. Q: What were Wolfe Tone's political beliefs? A: He championed Irish republicanism, seeking independence from Britain and unity among Ireland's Protestant and Catholic populations. ## Why They Matter Wolfe Tone's advocacy for a secular, united Ireland laid the groundwork for future nationalist movements. His leadership in the 1798 Rebellion and the Society of United Irishmen inspired generations of Irish revolutionaries, shaping the trajectory of Irish independence efforts. Without his efforts, the unification of Irish political thought across religious divides might have developed more slowly. ## Notable For - **Founding the Society of United Irishmen (1791):** A critical organization in the push for Irish independence. - **Leadership in the 1798 Rebellion:** A pivotal, though unsuccessful, armed uprising against British rule. - **Autobiographical Works:** His writings remain essential primary sources for understanding late 18th-century Irish revolutionary thought. - **Secular Republicanism:** Advocated for a unified Ireland free from sectarian divisions, a radical stance at the time. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Theobald Wolfe Tone was born on June 20, 1763, in Dublin, Kingdom of Ireland. He studied at Trinity College, Dublin, where he developed his political consciousness and critiques of British governance in Ireland. ### Political Career and Activism - **Society of United Irishmen:** In 1791, Tone co-founded this organization to promote Irish republicanism and bridge sectarian divides between Protestants and Catholics. The group's radical ideals contrasted sharply with the existing Protestant Ascendancy. - **Advocacy for French Support:** Tone traveled to France to secure military aid for the Irish rebellion, leveraging the broader European context of the French Revolutionary Wars to advance Irish interests. ### 1798 Rebellion - **Role and Capture:** Tone played a central organizational role in the rebellion but was captured by British forces in September 1798. His arrest marked a significant blow to the uprising's momentum. - **Death:** Imprisoned in Dublin Castle, Tone died by suicide on November 19, 1798, to avoid execution. His death became a symbol of resistance against British rule. ### Legacy and Influence - **Autobiographical Works:** Tone's memoirs, published posthumously, articulated his vision for a united Ireland and critiqued British colonial policies, influencing later nationalist leaders. - **Enduring Symbolism:** His commitment to secular republicanism and cross-denominational unity remained a cornerstone of Irish nationalist movements through the 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in the Easter Rising of 1916 and eventual independence. ### Connected Entities - **Kingdom of Ireland:** The political entity within which Tone operated, characterized by the Protestant Ascendancy and tensions leading to the 1798 Rebellion. - **Trinity College, Dublin:** Tone's alma mater, reflecting his integration into Dublin's intellectual and political circles. - **Society of United Irishmen:** The organization he co-founded, central to his revolutionary activities and legacy. ## References 1. [Source](http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/article-9277386/Wolfe-Tone) 2. [Source](http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/599115/Wolfe-Tone) 3. [Source](http://www.biography.com/people/wolfe-tone-9508738) 4. [Source](http://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/20230) 5. [Source](http://www.askaboutireland.ie/reading-room/history-heritage/pages-in-history/an-mangaire-sugach-the-li/national-historical-event/heres-their-memory-20th-n/) 6. Virtual International Authority File 7. BnF authorities 8. The Peerage 9. [Source](http://www.niu.edu/studyabroad/programs/NIU-admin/Program%20PDFs/NIU%20at%20Trinity%20College%2015.pdf) 10. International Standard Name Identifier 11. CiNii Research 12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 13. SNAC 14. Find a Grave 15. Dictionary of Irish Biography 16. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 18. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb11953937f) 19. CERL Thesaurus 20. [Source](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:Notes_and_Queries_-_Series_12_-_Volume_6.djvu/353)