Bobby Sands was an Óglach of the Irish Republican Army and the first of the ten hunger strikers to die in the H-Block Hunger Strike of 1981. During his fast, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, drawing international attention to the prisoners' struggle.

"They have nothing in their whole imperial arsenal that can break the spirit of one Irishman who doesn't want to be broken."

Bobby Sands died on 5 May 1981, after 66 days on hunger strike. His death marked a turning point in the protest and galvanised support for the republican cause both in Ireland and around the world.

"Our revenge will be the liberation of all."

Bobby Sands was also a writer. His poem The Rhythm of Time, written in 1981, appears in the Stailc 81 Anthology alongside other writings and prisoners' statements from the period.