Fitz James O'Brien

Born in County Cork, Ireland, and later active in New York literary circles, Fitz-James O'Brien became known for his poetry, stories, and journalism. He wrote for popular magazines and was part of the lively bohemian scene around Pfaff's beer cellar, where many writers and artists gathered.

His reputation rests especially on short fiction that mixed sharp humor with strange and imaginative ideas. Stories such as The Diamond Lens and What Was It? are often remembered as early landmarks of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.

During the American Civil War, he served in the Union Army. He was wounded in 1862 and died that same year, leaving behind a small but influential body of work that continued to earn admiration long after his death.