Mitchel

Mitchel, John (1815-75), Irish revolutionary leader, was the son of a Presbyterian minister at Dungiven, in county Londonderry. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and became a solicitor. From 1845 to 1847 he edited the Nation, but resigned his post to start the United Irishman, in which he advocated a policy of physical force. He was in consequence convicted of treason-felony, and transported to Van Diemen's Land (1848), whence he escaped to the United States (1853). In 1874 he returned to Ireland, but a petition was lodged against the return, and Mitchel died before the matter was decided. He published a Life of Aodh O'Neil (1845), and other works.