27 February 1900: Seán Ó Faoláin was born in Cork OTD. He was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Irish culture. A short-story writer of international repute, he was also a leading commentator and critic. O’Faoláin also wrote four novels, three travel books, six biographies, a play, a memoir, a history book, and a so-called "character study." He produced critical studies of the novel and the short-story form, introduced texts of historical and literary merit, and contributed scores of articles, reviews, and uncollected stories to periodicals in Ireland, Britain, and America.
Most famously, he cofounded and edited the influential journal The Bell from 1940 to 1946. Under O’Faoláin’s editorship, the Bell participated in many key debates of the day. He wrote a number of historical biographies incl. Constance Markievicz; The Autobiography of Theobald Wolfe Tone; A Life of Daniel O'Connell and The Great O'Neill.
From the 1950s O'Faolain enjoyed a better style of living, travelling frequently to Italy and America, and his earnings improved. He was becoming better known abroad, particularly in America.
His stories enjoyed great success in his later years. Honours and distinctions came his way. He was was elected to the honorary position of saoi in Aosdána. In 1988 he received the freedom of the city of Cork.
https://www.dib.ie/biography/ofaolain-sean-a6736
He died on 20 April 1991 in Dublin.
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