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O'Connor, Feargus Edward 1794-1855
Irish politician

Born in Connorville, County Cork, he studied at Trinity College, Dublin, became a lawyer, and entered parliament for County Cork in 1832. Estranged from Daniel O'Connell, he devoted himself to the cause of the working classes in England. His Leeds Northern Star (1837) became the most influential Chartist newspaper. He attempted with little success to unify the Chartist movement via the National Charter Association (1840), and presented himself as leader of the Chartist cause. Elected MP for Nottingham in 1847, in 1852 he became insane.

Bibliography: James Epstein, The Lion of Freedom: Feargus O'Connor and the Chartist Movement, 1832-1842 (1982)