Fitz James O'Brien

Fitz-James O'Brien (25 October 1826 – 6 April 1862) was an Irish–American writer of works in fantasy and science fiction short stories. His career was marked by a significant contribution to the American literary scene in the mid-19th century.

Biography Early life and influences O'Brien was born in County Cork, Ireland; the exact date and year of his birth is debated. His first biographer, Francis Wolle, placed it between April and December 1828. His father, James O'Brien, was an attorney of some influence, while his paternal grandparents, Michael O'Brien and Catherine Deasy, owned Brownstone House near Clonakilty. Her parents, Michael and Helen O'Driscoll, owned Baltimore House in County Limerick. After James's death in 1839/40, Eliza remarried DeCourcy O'Grady, and the family moved to Limerick, where O'Brien spent most of his teenage years. particularly in the geography of the south west. His first six poems were published in The Nation, Within the Crystal Palace, O'Brien was appointed editor for The Parlour Magazine.

In 1859, O'Brien solidified his literary prowess with two more stories: "What Was It? A Mystery" in Harper's New Monthly Magazine Winter wrote a chapter on O'Brien in his book Brown Heath and Blue Bells (New York, 1895). O'Brien was satirized as "Fitzgammon O'Bouncer" in William North's posthumously published novel The Slave of the Lamp (1855).