Edmund Burke was a British statesman, author, orator, political theorist and philosopher. Born in the first half of the eighteenth century into a níos Gaelaí ná na Gaeil féin (more Irish than the Irish themselves) family in Ireland, he was sent to England to be trained as a barrister, but he gave it up to pursue a career in literature. Although his father belonged to the Anglican Church, his mother and her family followed the Catholic faith, and his closest friends were Quakers. Brought up in such an environment, he developed religious tolerance early in his life. Moreover, from early childhood, he also witnessed the persecution of the Catholics and felt their resentment. Therefore, when he became a Member of Parliament, he automatically began to work for the good of the Irish people, often jeopardizing his own career. Indeed, he possessed a lofty sense of moral obligation along with a generous nature and unusual devotion to family and friends. Although he spent the major part of his career sitting in the opposition, he is remembered as much for his contribution to Catholic emancipation as for his support to the American revolutionists. He also worked tirelessly to have Warren Hastings impeached for his wrong doings in India. His opposition to the French Revolution is also legendary.