Maurice O'Connor Drury

Maurice O'Connor Drury (3 July 1907 – 25 December 1976) was an Irish psychiatrist, best known for his accounts of his conversations, and close friendship, with the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein.

Early life and education Drury was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire, England of Irish parents. He grew up in Exeter, Devon, England, where his father, Henry D'Olier Drury, who had been a teacher in Marlborough College, retired.

Drury was educated at Exeter Grammar School. He then studied philosophy at Trinity College, Cambridge. His tutors included G. E. Moore, C. D. Broad, W. E. Johnson and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Drury became Wittgenstein's friend for many years to come, until the latter's death in 1951.

Medical career Drury joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, serving in Egypt and taking part in the Normandy landings. After his demobilisation, Drury worked as a House Physician in a hospital in Taunton. In 1947 he was appointed Resident Psychiatrist at St Patrick's Hospital Dublin. His second son, Paul, was one of Ireland's most prominent newspaper editors, editing The Star, Evening Herald, Irish Daily Mail, and Ireland on Sunday. He was also deputy editor of the Irish Independent. He died in 2015.

Drury was a member of the Zoological Society of Ireland.

Writings Drury was the author of one book, The Danger of Words (1973). Ray Monk described the work as "though much neglected" perhaps "the most truly Wittgensteinian work published by any of Wittgenstein’s students." It was included in a collection of many of his writings edited by John Hayes and published in 2017.

His papers are on deposit in the library of Mary Immaculate College Limerick.

Works The Danger of Words (1973) The Danger of Words and Writings on Wittgenstein (1996)