William Pearse, the younger brother of Patrick Pearse, was executed by firing squad in Kilmainham Gaol on May 4, 1916, for his involvement in the Easter Rising. A talented artist and teacher, he fought alongside his brother at the General Post Office (GPO) in Dublin. Despite pleading guilty to the charge of participating in the rebellion, he maintained that he had no direct command and was only a personal attaché to his brother. His execution was part of the British response to the Rising, which saw many of its leaders put to death.
