1846-1906. Irish nationalist. He joined the 
Fenians (forerunners of the Irish Republican 
Army) 1865, and was imprisoned for treason 
1870-77. After his release, he and the 
politician Charles Parnell founded the Land 
League 1879. Davitt was jailed several times 
for land-reform agitation. He was a member of
Parliament 1895-99, advocating the
reconciliation of extreme and constitutional
nationalism.