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Erskine Childers

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Author

The Resume

    (June 25, 1870-November 24, 1922)
    Born in London, United Kingdom
    Birth name was Robert Erskine Childers
    Wrote the novel 'The Riddle of the Sands' (1903)
    Sided with the IRA against Sinn Fein during the Irish Civil War
    Arrested for possession of a gun without a permit (November 10, 1922), which had been made a capital offense under the Army Emergency Powers Resolution
    Sentenced to death by a military court
    Executed by firing squad

Why he might be annoying:

    He used his yacht to smuggle weapons and ammunition from Germany to Ireland for use in the Easter Rebellion.
    Despite his considerable military experience, he was given little to do during the Irish Civil War, as the IRA leadership felt he was too recognizable to use.
    The IRA rank and file suspected him of being a British spy and referred to him as 'that bloody Englishman.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was president of the Cambridge debating society and editor of the Cambridge Review.
    He earned a Distinguished Service Cross while serving in the Mediterranean Theater during World War I.
    Ken Follett called 'The Riddle of the Sands' 'the first modern thriller.'
    Winston Churchill credited 'The Riddle of the Sands' with swaying public opinion to fund defenses against the German naval threat.
    He was executed while his conviction was still being appealed to Irish Supreme Court.
    Before his execution, he shook hands with the members of the firing squad and told them, 'Take a step or two forward, lads. It will be easier that way.'

Credit: C. Fishel


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Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying