* Born in Co Derry in 1815 - son of a Unitarian Minister
* His father was a member of a rebellion movement
'The United Irishmen'
* Became a lawyer and was sentenced to life in Tasmania
following the 1848 rebellion. He wrote his jail diary called
Jail Journal, which became a massive bestseller.
* Escaped to San Francisco by boat to a huge welcome.
* Set up 'Citizen' newspaper in New York
* Moved to Virginia to farm and do lecture tours
* Sided with Confederates and lost 3 sons in the civil war
* Became key influencer to President Jefferson
* Moved back to New York and set up 'Daily News' newspaper and imprisoned due to it's content. Moved to Paris to raise funds for Irish Fenian movement
* Returned to Ireland and elected to British Member of Parliament
* Died in Ireland in 1875