Flann O'Brien
Brian O'Nolan (Irish: Brian Ó Nualláin; 5 October 1911 – 1 April 1966), his pen name being Flann O'Brien, was an Irish civil service official, novelist, playwright and satirist, who is now considered a major figure in twentieth-century Irish literature. Born in Strabane, County Tyrone, he is regarded as a key figure in modernist and postmodern literature. His English language novels, such as At Swim-Two-Birds and The Third Policeman, were written under the O'Brien pen name. His many satirical columns in The Irish Times and an Irish-language novel, An Béal Bocht, were written under the name Myles na gCopaleen.
Flann O'Brien | |
|---|---|
| Born | Brian O'Nolan 5 October 1911 Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland |
| Died | 1 April 1966 (aged 54) Dublin, Ireland |
| Resting place | Dean's Grange Cemetery |
| Pen name |
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| Occupation | Civil servant, writer |
| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
| Genre | Metafiction, satire |
| Notable works |
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| Spouse |
Evelyn McDonnell (m. 1948) |
| Signature | |
O'Brien's novels have attracted a wide following both for their unconventional humour and as prominent examples of modernist metafiction. As a novelist, O'Brien was influenced by James Joyce. He was nonetheless skeptical of the "cult" of Joyce, saying "I declare to God if I hear that name Joyce one more time I will surely froth at the gob."