O'Brien, William Smith (1803–1864)

Irish nationalist, born at Dromoland, County Clare. O'Brien sat in Parliament at Westminster and, although a Protestant, favoured Catholic emancipation. He joined the Repeal Association of Daniel O'Connell, but in 1846 seceded to the Young Ireland party. In 1848 he led an abortive rising in Tipperary against the British. He was captured and sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to transportation.