Davitt, Michael (1846-1906), was one of the chief leaders in the movement to reform the land system in Ireland. In 1879, he founded the Land League, which worked to make every tenant farmer owner of his land. Davitt also cooperated with Charles Stewart Parnell in the effort to gain Home Rule (self-government) for Ireland.
Davitt was born in Straide, County Mayo, on March 25, 1846, the son of a tenant farmer. In 1852, his family was evicted and emigrated to Lancashire, England. Davitt began work in a cotton mill at the age of 10. Soon afterward, Davitt lost an arm in an accident. In 1865, he joined the Fenian Brotherhood, an organization that aimed to make Ireland a republic. Davitt was jailed from 1870 to 1877 on a charge of treason. He died on May 31, 1906.
