I Was Hanged by a Comma
The Comma and a Policy of Insurance
Legend has it that these were the last words uttered by Sir Roger Casement shortly before the King’s Executioner pulled the lever, thereby causing poor Sir Roger to be hanged until dead.
Born in 1864, Sir Roger Casement worked for the British Foreign Office and was knighted for his humanitarian work to prevent human rights abuses against indigenous peoples.
Growing mistrustful of imperialism, Sir Roger retired and became active in Irish Republicanism and other separatist movements. During World War I, he endeavored to gain German military aid for Irish independence. As a result of this attempt, Sir Roger was arrested, stripped of his knighthood and honors, and convicted of high treason.
|