Philip Gray facts for kids

Philip Gray (born in 1821 – died February 28, 1857) was an important Irish republican and revolutionary. He was a member of the Irish Confederation, a group that wanted Ireland to be independent from British rule. Philip Gray took part in the Irish uprisings of 1848 and 1849. He worked alongside other famous Irish figures like James Fintan Lalor, James Stephens, and John O'Mahony. Stephens and O'Mahony later helped create the Irish Republican Brotherhood in Ireland and the Fenian Brotherhood in the United States.

Philip Gray's Early Life

Philip Gray was born in Dublin, Ireland. Before he became a revolutionary, he worked as a mechanic and a clerk. He also studied medicine part-time. He was known for his strong belief in Irish independence.

Joining the Young Irelanders Movement

In 1847, Philip Gray joined a group called the Swift Confederate Club. This club was part of the larger Young Irelanders movement. He quickly became the club's secretary and a key leader. Because of his ideas, the Swift Confederate Club became one of the most active and determined groups in Dublin.

Gray spent many evenings at the club, studying military books. The club members even tried to get Irish soldiers from English regiments to join their cause. The Swift Confederate Club was very upset when their leaders decided not to try and rescue John Mitchel, another Irish nationalist, before he was sent away from Ireland.

The 1848 Rebellion

In 1848, a rebellion broke out in Ireland. While William Smith O'Brien tried to start a rebellion in the south, Philip Gray attempted to lead an uprising in County Meath. When that didn't work, he left his job at the railway office in Drogheda and went to County Tipperary.

After the main rebellion failed at Ballingarry on July 29, 1848, Gray joined up with John O'Mahony. O'Mahony put Gray and John Savage in charge of the rebels in County Waterford. Gray was involved in an attack on the police barracks in Portlaw. Years later, O'Mahony said that Gray was the most determined person he met during the 1848 rebellion.

Gray had a very difficult time avoiding capture by the police and military in County Waterford for four months in late 1848. He hid in the Knockmealdown and Comeragh Mountains. While hiding, he worked to create a secret group dedicated to Irish independence in the Suir valley.

Afterward, he returned to Dublin. There, he convinced many of his old friends from the Swift Confederate Club to join his secret society. It was said that he had a thousand members in Dublin alone. After this, he escaped to France, where he met up with O'Mahony and Stephens again.

Returning to Ireland in 1849

Philip Gray came back to Ireland in 1849. He immediately became active again, helping to plan another uprising for that autumn. He worked closely with James Fintan Lalor and had already set up a secret military group.

They were joined by Thomas Clarke Luby, Joseph Brennan, and about a dozen other members from the old Swift Confederate Club. They all met with Gray near Rathmines' church in Dublin and joined the society. Lalor tried to get Charles Gavan Duffy to join them, but Gavan Duffy refused to be part of any secret society.

The 1849 Uprising

In September 1849, an attack took place on the police barracks at Cappoquin. This event marked the end of that particular uprising movement.

Working for The Tribune Newspaper

After the uprisings, Gray returned to Dublin. He found a job as a clerk and later worked for a newspaper called The Tribune. This newspaper was started by John Edward Pigot and other important figures. Thomas Clarke Luby was the sub-editor. Some people believe that Philip Gray actually owned the newspaper.

When James Stephens returned to Ireland in 1856, The Tribune was one of the few newspapers discussing Irish nationalist ideas. It talked about the demand for "Tenant Rights," which meant farmers having fair rights to the land they worked. The newspaper argued that the land of Ireland truly belonged to all the people of Ireland, not just the landlords.

The Tribune also published articles about the idea of an "Irish Nation." It said that many Irish people didn't fully understand the big idea of a united Irish nation, including everyone. The newspaper stopped being published in 1856.

Philip Gray's Death

Philip Gray passed away in Dublin on February 28, 1857, when he was 35 years old. He was buried in his family's burial ground in Kilglass, County Meath. Both James Stephens and Thomas Clarke Luby attended his funeral, and Stephens gave a speech there.