Daniel O'Connell

O'Connell, Daniel (1775–1847), Irish statesman, called the Liberator, who led the fight for Catholic emancipation. He founded the Catholic Association (1823) and after his election to Parliament (1828) refused to take his seat until public opinion precipitated the Catholic Emancipation Act (passed in 1829). He contested the 1801 act uniting Ireland with Britain.

See also: Ireland.