About Shaemas O'Sheel
Lived 1886 – 1954 (aged 67). Shaemas O'Sheel was an American poet.
Shaemas O'Sheel (September 19, 1886 – April 2, 1954) was an Irish American poet and critic. Born James Shields, he changed his name to an anglicized spelling of its Irish version soon after high school. He worked briefly for the United States Senate (1913–1916), held jobs with various newspapers, and did publicity and advertising work. Although third-generation Irish American and never visiting Ireland, However, because he disagreed with Soviet foreign policy, many communist publications (such as New Masses) refused to publish his work. O'Sheel met the American painter, Marsden Hartley, through Alfred Stieglitz in 1909.
As a member of the League of American Writers, O'Sheel served on its Keep America Out of War Committee in January 1940 during the period of the Hitler-Stalin pact.
Publications O'Sheel's published poetry collections include The Blossomy Bough (1912) and The Light Feet of Goats (1915). Louis Untermeyer characterized O'Sheel's poetry as possessing "mysticism and a muffled heroism". O'Sheel's work also appeared in the New York Times, the New York Times Book Review, Harper's, and other national publications.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Shaemas O'Sheel's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Shaemas O'Sheel's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Shaemas O'Sheel?
American writer
When was Shaemas O'Sheel born?
Shaemas O'Sheel was born on 19 September 1886 in New York City.
When did Shaemas O'Sheel die?
Shaemas O'Sheel died on 2 April 1954.
What was Shaemas O'Sheel's occupation?
Shaemas O'Sheel was a poet.
What nationality was Shaemas O'Sheel?
Shaemas O'Sheel was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Shaemas O'Sheel. https://biography.guide/shaemas-o-sheel/
MLA: "Shaemas O'Sheel." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/shaemas-o-sheel/.
Chicago: "Shaemas O'Sheel." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/shaemas-o-sheel/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence
Page generated 2026-09-27 04:58 UTC