Arthur Griffith (1871-1922) was an Irish politician who fought throughout his career for the creation of the Irish Free State. Founder of Sinn Féin, and a founding member of the IRA, Arthur Griffith is still a celebrated figure throughout Ireland.
Arthur Griffith was born in 1871 into a family already highly politicized by British rule. From the time he came of age, he presented himself as a fervent nationalist, convinced that communication was the best way to win people over to nationalist convictions. He set up a number of newspapers to support the nationalist cause.
In 1905, he founded Sinn Féin, a political party dedicated to fighting British occupation. He headed the latter for several long years until 1918, when he finally gave way to Éamon de Valera.
In 1921, he was ordered to London with Michael Collins to negotiate a Treaty with the British government. He signed the Treaty on December 6, 1921, sparking a civil war in Ireland between pro-treaty and anti-treaty groups.
Griffith soon became leader of the Pro-Treaties, along with Michael Collins, and coordinated with the various steps to create an Irish Free State. He set up a provisional government and was appointed head of Dàil Eireann.
As his influence continued to grow, he died of a stroke on August 12, 1922.
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