Cosgrave, William Thomas (1880-1965), served as president of the Irish Free State’s executive council from 1922 to 1932. He lost to Eamon de Valera’s party, which wanted complete independence from England. He criticized the 1937 constitution, which established the republic of Eire. But he joined De Valera in supporting President Douglas Hyde’s election in 1938.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Cosgrave went to prison for his part in the 1916 Easter Rebellion. Later he served in the revolutionary government from 1919 to 1921. He became president after the head of the Free State, Arthur Griffith, and his successor, Michael Collins, had died in quick succession.
