Thomas Clarke was an Irish nationalist and a key figure in the Easter Rising of 1916. Born in 1858 in County Tyrone, he became involved in the struggle for Irish independence at a young age. Clarke was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and played a significant role in planning the uprising against British rule. During the Easter Rising, Clarke served as the military leader of the Provisional Government of the Irish Republic. He was responsible for organizing the rebellion and was one of the signatories of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. After the uprising was suppressed, Clarke was executed by firing squad on May 3, 1916.