D. R. (David Russell) McAnally

D. R. McAnally, or David Russell McAnally (1847–1909), is chiefly remembered for Irish Wonders (1888), a collection of Irish folk tales and supernatural lore. Library and catalog records consistently identify him as the author of that book, which was illustrated by H. R. Heaton and later reprinted in several editions.

The book brings together popular tales about ghosts, pookas, banshees, leprechauns, witches, giants, and other figures from Irish tradition. Its lasting circulation in library catalogs, reprints, and public-domain editions suggests that McAnally's main legacy is as a collector and reteller of folklore rather than as a widely documented literary celebrity.

Reliable biographical details about his personal life are fairly sparse in the sources I found. His full name and life dates are well attested, and one reference to his family background connects him to David Rice McAnally, but beyond that, the available records focus much more on his books than on the events of his life.