Thomas FitzGerald, 11th Earl of Kildare, was an Irish nobleman born in 1531. He was a prominent figure during the Tudor period in Ireland and was known for his role in the political landscape of the time. As the head of the House of FitzGerald, he managed extensive lands and held significant influence in both Irish and English affairs. He became the Earl of Kildare in 1540 after his father's death. His tenure was marked by conflicts with the English crown, particularly during the Kildare Rebellion in 1554. Thomas FitzGerald's life reflects the complexities of Irish nobility and their interactions with English rule.