Donn Byrne

Born Brian Oswald Donn-Byrne in New York on November 20, 1889, he was taken back as an infant to County Armagh, where he grew up in an Irish-speaking environment. That mix of American birth and Irish upbringing shaped the voice of a writer who would become closely associated with dramatic, lyrical fiction rooted in Ireland's past and landscape.

After studying in Dublin, he returned to the United States and supported himself with editorial and reference work while trying to establish himself as a writer. He published short fiction and novels, and over time became especially known for sweeping historical and romantic tales, including Blind Raftery, Messer Marco Polo, and Hangman's House.

His work was popular with general readers for its color, movement, and strong sense of place. He died in County Cork on June 18, 1928, in a car accident, ending a career that had produced a distinctive body of fiction still remembered by readers of Irish historical romance.