Robert Emmet (1778-1803)

One of the most romantic and inspirational of all the Irish revolutionaries is Robert Emmet. His doomed relationship with Sarah Curran, his failed rebellion at the age of 25 and the brilliance of his speech from the dock, captured the popular imagination and created a powerful and enduring legend. W.B. Yeats declared that Emmet was the leading saint of Irish nationalism. Born in Dublin, Emmet was the youngest son of the state physician. Educated at Trinity College Dublin, he was a leading member of the College Historical Society until his expulsion for radical activity in 1798.

Robert Emmet was also the third member of his family to study at the King’s Inns. He entered in 1795 while still a student in Trinity College Dublin. His eldest brother, Christopher Temple Emmet, had become a barrister in the 1780s and was so brilliant that even Benjamin Franklin in the United States heard about his exploits. It was said that even before he was called to the Bar he knew more law than any judge or bishop in the land. His middle brother, Thomas Addis Emmet, was a leading revolutionary in the United Irishmen and later achieved fame as a lawyer in the United States.

 Prevented from pursuing a profession after 1798, Robert Emmet visited the continent where he discussed plans for liberating Ireland with Napoleon and Talleyrand. He returned to Ireland in 1802 and soon became involved in a conspiracy for a new rebellion. His youthful idealism and military talent proved insufficient, however, and his attempt to seize Dublin on 23 July 1803 was a dramatic failure. Captured soon after, Emmet assured his place in history with his extraordinary speech from the dock that is rightly considered to be one of the greatest courtroom orations in history. He died on the scaffold the next day.