O'Casey, Sean, 1880-1964
Dates
- Existence: 1880 - 1964
Biographical Note
Born John Casey in 1880 in Ireland, Sean O'Casey suffered as a child from trachoma, which affected his sight. He worked periodically as a stock boy, van driver, and railway laborer. He became interested in Irish working class culture, as well as socialism and labor causes. In 1906 he joined the Gaelic League and began learning the Irish language. He began writing poetry as Sean O'Cathasaigh. He joined the Irish Transport and General Workers Union and the Irish Citizen Army. He took part in the Dublin lock-out strike in 1913; however, he resigned from these organizations in 1914 and criticized their roles in the Easter Rising of 1916. O'Casey began writing plays around 1916. His first play performed was The Shadow of a Gunman, produced in 1923 by the Abbey Theatre. He was known as Sean O'Casey and found continued success (and controversy) with subsequent plays. O'Casey moved to England in 1929, where he continued to write and produce plays. Towards the end of his life O'Casey contended with increasing blindness. O'Casey died of a heart attack in 1964.
Social Networks and Archival Context (SNAC) Identifier
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
Norah Hoult correspondence
This correspondence documents the literary friendships of Irish journalist and author Norah Hoult through the letters she received from fellow Irish and English writers. The letters span her years living in both England and Ireland, from 1934-1954.
Collection is open for research.
Robert G. Lowery papers and collection of Sean O'Casey
This collection includes clippings, correspondence, ephemera, manuscripts photographs, and scrapbooks related to Robert G. Lowery's research on and collecting of materials relating to the life and work of Irish playwright Sean O'Casey.
Collection is open for research. Recordings have been digitally copied; all original media were retained, but may not be played due to format. Digital use copies can only be accessed in the Burns Library Reading Room.
Boston College collection of Sean O'Casey
This collection documents Irish playwright Sean O'Casey's business, personal, and political activities through his correspondence. The collection also contains letters from his wife, Eileen, and son, Breon, to friends and business acquaintances regarding O'Casey. In addition, one flyer for the 1930 film adaptation of O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is included.
Collection is open for research.