1778-1803
Emmet was born in Dublin, he
was the youngest son of Dr. Robert Emmet. Robert entered Trinity
college in 1793, and quickly became one of the leaders of The
United Irishmen within the college.
While on the continent with
his brother Thomas, the two met and discussed Irish Independence
with Napoleon and Tallyrand. Upon his return to Ireland in the same
year, Robert set about organizing an uprising that he hoped would
coincide with Napoleon's invasion of England in August, he established
an arms depot in Dublin.
In July 1803 following an explosion
in one of his Dublin depot's, he called for the rising to begin.
He was expecting assistance from outside Dublin, this never materialized
and the whole event ended in disaster. There seems to have been
complete disarray in the command structure with the various leaders
arguing between themselves.
Emmet decided to attacked Dublin
Castle, on his way there he murdered Arthur Wolfe, Lord Kilwarden
and the Lord chief Justice, . Emmet and his fiancee Sarah Curran,
had planned to escape to America after the rising, but he was arrested
by Major Henry Sirr, and tried for treason. He was found guilty
and hanged and beheaded on 20th September 1803. A statue was erected
to his memory close to his birth place in Dublin. |
