James Connolly had a leading role in the uprising. He was born in 1868 in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh to Irish immigrant parents. He left school for work at the age of 11 and joined the army age 14, giving false details to enlist.
When the Easter Rising occurred in 1916, Connolly was commandant of the Dublin Brigade, and as they had the most substantial role in the rising, he was by default commander-in-chief. Connolly was so badly injured from the fighting that he was unable to stand before the firing squad. He was tied to a chair and then shot.