Griffith, Arthur (1872-1922), an Irish journalist and politician, was a leader in Ireland’s fight for independence from the United Kingdom. In 1905, he founded the Sinn Féin (we ourselves) society, which played a prominent role in the Irish independence movement. Griffith believed Ireland would gain independence only through passive resistance (nonviolent opposition). In 1916, however, he supported the Easter Rebellion, an armed revolt that sought to establish an independent Ireland. The revolt lasted less than a week. A full-scale guerrilla war followed from 1919 through 1921. In this conflict, the rebels forced the United Kingdom to grant dominion home rule to most of Ireland. Under this arrangement, 26 counties became the Irish Free State within the British Commonwealth. Griffith served briefly as the new state’s provisional leader before his death on Aug. 12, 1922. He was born in Dublin on March 31, 1872.
See also Gogarty, Oliver St. John Joseph ; Ireland, History of (The Easter Rising) ; Irish Civil War ; Sinn Féin .
