William Bernard O'Donoghue

William Bernard O'Donoghue

William Bernard O'Donoghue (* 1843 in County Sligo , Ireland , † March 16, 1878 in Saint Paul , Minnesota ) was an Irish-American rebel who was an important player during and after the Red River Rebellion in what is now the Canadian province of Manitoba Role played.

biography

O'Donoghue emigrated to the United States around 1850 and later became an active member of the Fenian Brotherhood . In 1868 he met the missionary Vital Grandin in Port Huron and traveled with him to the Red River Colony , where he worked as a teacher. He broke off his theology studies and in August 1869 joined the rebellious Métis led by Louis Riel . On December 22nd, he helped Riel seize the Hudson's Bay Company assets at Fort Garry . Five days later, he was appointed Treasurer of the Provisional Government. On February 18, 1870, together with Ambroise-Dydime Lépine , he prevented an attempt to overthrow the radical Canadian Party .

Over time, O'Donoghue became increasingly dissatisfied with Louis Riel's leadership style; he thought he was too willing to compromise and too pro-British. After the arrival of the Red River Expedition from Garnet Wolseley on August 24, 1870, he and Riel had to flee across the border. It soon broke, however, as he took the view that the US Army should intervene on behalf of the Métis. When President Ulysses S. Grant refused a petition, O'Donoghue led a group of 35 armed supporters of the Fenian Brotherhood in early October 1871. He wanted to raid the Red River Colony with them and proclaim a republic with him as president.

With Riel still in control, O'Donoghue lacked support and the raid quickly failed. He was caught by the Métis and extradited to Minnesota. The American authorities left him unmolested. O'Donoghue then worked as a teacher in Dakota County . In 1878 he died of tuberculosis in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Web links

• William Bernard O'Donoghue . In: Dictionary of Canadian Biography . 24 volumes, 1966–2018. University of Toronto Press, Toronto ( English , French ).