An agrarian organization in Ireland. It was founded in 1879 by an ex‐Fenian, Michael Davitt, to secure reforms in the land‐holding system. With Charles Parnell as president, it initiated the boycotting of anyone replacing a tenant evicted because of non‐payment of rent (see boycott, charles cunningham). The campaign for land reform was linked with parliamentary activity by the Irish Home Rule Members of Parliament. The British government declared the Land League illegal and imprisoned Davitt and Parnell. Branches of the League were formed in Australia, the USA, and elsewhere. Between 1881 and 1903 British governments passed Land Acts to remove the worst features of the landlord system in Ireland.