FitzGerald, Garret (1926-2011), was taoiseach (prime minister) of the Republic of Ireland from December 1982 until March 1987. He had previously been taoiseach from July 1981 to February 1982. Both of his governments were coalitions of his own party, Fine Gael, with the Labour Party.
Garret Michael Desmond FitzGerald was born in Dublin on Feb. 9, 1926, and educated at Belvedere College and University College, Dublin. He graduated with a law degree in 1947 but pursued careers first in transport management and later in economics and journalism. In 1959, he became a lecturer in political economy at University College, Dublin.
From 1965 to 1969, FitzGerald served in Seanad Éireann (the upper house of Ireland’s parliament). In 1969, he entered Dáil Éireann (the lower house of Ireland’s parliament) and became vice president of Fine Gael. He was minister for foreign affairs from 1973 until 1977. FitzGerald became leader of Fine Gael in 1977, following the resignation of Liam Cosgrave. FitzGerald led Fine Gael until 1987 and served in the Dáil Éireann until 1992. He died on May 19, 2011.
