Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Emmet, Thomas Addis, 1763-1827

Patriot; born in Cork, Ireland, April 24, 1763; graduated at Trinity College, Dublin; first studied medicine, and then law, and was admitted to the Dublin bar in 1791. He became a leader of the Association of United Irishmen, and was one of a general committee whose ultimate object was to secure the freedom of Ireland from British rule. With many of his associates, he was arrested in 1798, and for more than two years was confined in Fort George, Scotland. His brother Robert, afterwards engaged in the same cause, was hanged in [235] Dublin in 1803. Thomas was liberated and banished to France after the treaty of Amiens, the severest penalties being pronounced against him if he should return to Great Britain. His wife was permitted to join him, on condition that she should never again set foot on British soil. He came to the United States in 1804, and became very eminent in his profession in the city of New York. He was made attorneygeneral of the State in 1812. A monument—an obelisk—was erected to his memory in St. Paul's church-yard, New York, on Broadway. He died in New York, Nov. 14, 1827.