James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon
Prime Minister of Northern Ireland from 1921 to 1940 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon PC PC (NI) DL (8 January 1871 – 24 November 1940), was a leading Irish unionist and a key architect of Northern Ireland as a devolved region within the United Kingdom. During the Home Rule Crisis of 1912–14, he defied the British government in preparing an armed resistance in Ulster to an all-Ireland parliament. He accepted partition as a final settlement, securing the opt out of six Ulster counties from the dominion statehood accorded Ireland under the terms of the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty. From then until his death in 1940, he led the Ulster Unionist Party and served Northern Ireland as its first Prime Minister. He publicly characterised his administration as a "Protestant" counterpart to the "Catholic state" nationalists had established in the south. Craig was created a baronet in 1918 and raised to the Peerage in 1927.
The Viscount Craigavon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1st Prime Minister of Northern Ireland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 7 June 1921 – 24 November 1940 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monarchs | George V Edward VIII George VI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Governor | The Duke of Abercorn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Office established | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | J. M. Andrews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4th Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In office 7 June 1921 – 24 November 1940 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Sir Edward Carson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | J. M. Andrews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | (1871-01-08)8 January 1871 Belfast, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 24 November 1940(1940-11-24) (aged 69) Glencraig, Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Resting place | Stormont Parliament Buildings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Political party | Ulster Unionist Party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spouse | Cecil Mary Tupper | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Children | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Education | Merchiston | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Military service | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allegiance | United Kingdom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Branch/service | British Army | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years of service | 1899–1901 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rank | Captain | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unit | 3rd (Militia) Royal Irish Rifles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Battles/wars | Second Boer War | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||