He was first elected Taoiseach in 1932 and remained active in Dáil Éireann until 1959. Though revolutionary in constitutional matters, he was conservative on most economic and social issues. He was elected President of Ireland in 1959 and again in 1966. It seems that De Valera posed for Connor's sculpture while visiting America during the Irish War of Independence. The Kerry-born sculptor emigrated as a child with his family to the United States where he would soon develop an enviable reputation as a sculptor of quality.
He was first elected Taoiseach in 1932 and remained active in Dáil Éireann until 1959. Though revolutionary in constitutional matters, he was conservative on most economic and social issues. He was elected President of Ireland in 1959 and again in 1966. It seems that De Valera posed for Connor's sculpture while visiting America during the Irish War of Independence. The Kerry-born sculptor emigrated as a child with his family to the United States where he would soon develop an enviable reputation as a sculptor of quality.