Irish Patriot: Wolfe Tone

After his political organization was banned, Tone went to America. He spent a brief time in Philadelphia but soon left for France. Since the newly formed French Republic was already at war with England, Tone found an ally. As he said at the time:

"England's difficulty [with France] is Ireland's opportunity."

But Tone had a few problems living in France. He didn't know the language. He had a wife and three young children. Undaunted, Tone directed his considerable discipline toward developing a plan. He was given a commission as a French military officer.

Working with the "citizen generals" of the French Republic, Tone helped to plan a French military landing in Ireland. He thought it was the only effective way to evict British control from Irish shores.