Flann O'Brien
- Born:
- October 5, 1911, Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland
- Died:
- April 1, 1966, Dublin, Ireland
- Nationality:
- Irish
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Satirist, Playwright, Columnist (as Myles na gCopaleen/Myles na Gopaleen)
Early Life and Education
- Born Brian O'Nolan, adopted the pen name Flann O'Brien.
- Educated at University College Dublin, earning a BA and MA in Celtic Studies.
- Grew up bilingual in Irish and English.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a civil servant for much of his life, holding positions in the Irish Civil Service.
- Achieved literary recognition for his experimental and humorous novels.
- Wrote extensively under the pseudonyms Myles na gCopaleen and Myles na Gopaleen for The Irish Times.
Notable Works
- Novels:
- At Swim-Two-Birds (1939)
- An Béal Bocht (The Poor Mouth, 1941, as Myles na gCopaleen)
- The Hard Life (1961)
- The Dalkey Archive (1964)
- The Third Policeman (written 1939-40, published posthumously in 1967). The initial critical reception to the third policeman review was muted, but the novel later gained significant acclaim.
- Plays:
- Faustus Kelly (1943)
- Column:
- An Cruiskeen Lawn (for The Irish Times, under the Myles pseudonyms)
Legacy and Impact
Flann O'Brien is remembered as a highly innovative and influential writer, whose works blend humor, satire, and metafiction. His experimental techniques and unique voice have inspired generations of writers.