Arthur O'Connor (United Irishman)

Arthur O'Connor (Artúr Ó Conchobhair; 4 July 1763 – 25 April 1852), was a United Irishman and later a general in Napoleon's army.

Biography
Born near Bandon, County Cork, O'Connor embraced the Republican movement early on as he was encouraged by the American Revolution overseas. From 1790 to 1795 he was a Member of Parliament in the Irish House of Commons for Philipstown. The Irish House of Commons was part of the colonial parliament that sat in College Green. In 1796 he became a member of the Society of United Irishmen. He and Lord Edward Fitzgerald petitioned France for aid in support of an Irish revolution. While traveling to France he was arrested alongside Father James O'Coigly and three other United Irishmen. O'Coigly, a Catholic priest, was hanged whereas O'Connor was acquitted. He was re-arrested immediately and imprisoned at Fort George in Scotland. On his way to confinement, he distributed a poem, which, seeming to recant his republican beliefs, with verses re-ordered, was instead a ringing re-affirmation of them: (1) The pomp of courts, and pride of kings, (3) I prize above all earthly things; (5) I love my country, but my king, (7) Above all men his praise I'll sing. (9) The royal banners are display'd, (11) And may success the standard aid: (2) I fain would banish far from hence (4) The Rights of Man and Common Sense. (6) Destruction to that odious name, (8) The plague of princes, Thomas Paine, (10) Defeat and ruin seize the cause (12) Of France, her liberty, and laws.

O'Connor was released in 1802 under the condition of ‘banishment’. He traveled to Paris, where he was regarded as the accredited representative of the United Irishmen by Napoleon who, in February 1804, appointed him General of Division in the French army. General Berthier, Minister of War, directed that O'Connor was to join the expeditionary army intended for the invasion of Ireland at Brest. When the plan fell through, O'Connor retired from the army, later marrying the daughter of scholar Marquis de Condorcet, Eliza, in 1807. The rest of his life was spent composing literary works on political and social topics.

O'Connor was a member of the Kildare Street Club in Dublin.