Michael Collins (October 16, 1890 – August 22, 1922) was an Irish revolutionary, soldier, and politician who was a leading figure in the Irish struggle for independence from the United Kingdom. He was a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the Irish Volunteers, and the First Dáil. He served as President of the Irish Republican Brotherhood from 1918 to 1922 and as commander-in-chief of the Irish Republican Army from 1919 to 1922.