Parnell, Charles Stewart

Irish nationalist politician. He supported a policy of obstruction and violence to attain home rule, and became the president of the Nationalist Party in 1877. In 1879 he approved the Land League, and his attitude led to his imprisonment in 1881. His career was ruined in 1890 when he was cited as co-respondent in a divorce case. Because of his great influence over his followers, he was called ‘the uncrowned king of Ireland’.

Parnell, born in Avondale, County Wicklow, was elected member of Parliament for Meath in 1875. He welcomed Gladstone's Home Rule Bill, and continued his agitation after its defeat in 1886. In 1887 his reputation suffered from an unfounded accusation by The Times of complicity in the murder of Lord Frederick Cavendish, chief secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Three years later came the adultery scandal, and for fear of losing the support of Gladstone, Parnell's party deposed him. He died suddenly of rheumatic fever at the age of 45.