Brian O'Nolan papers

Overview

Scope and Contents

Biographical Note

Adminstrative Information

Detailed Description

Correspondence

Manuscripts

Title: Brian O'Nolan papers, 1914-1966

ID: 1/4/MSS 051

Primary Creator: O'Brien, Flann, (1911-1966.)

Extent: 2.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Arranged in two series:  correspondence and manuscripts. Correspondence has three sub-series: letters to, letters about, and letters by Brian O'Nolan.

Date Acquired: 00/00/1966

Forms of Material: Authors, Irish - 20th century - Correspondence, Authors, Irish - 20th century - Manuscripts, Joyce, James, 1882-1941. - Manuscripts, O'Brien, Flann, 1911-1966. - Correspondence, O'Brien, Flann, 1911-1966. - Manuscripts

Languages: English

The O'Nolan papers consist primarily of O'Nolan's outgoing and incoming correspondence between 1938 and 1966, as well as typescripts of all O'Nolan novels except "At-Swim-Two-Birds."  The manuscript materials also include typescripts of the unfinished novel "Slattery's Sago Saga" and several short stories, among them "Ireland Home and Beauty." The collection also includes numerous reviews and news columns under O'Nolan's various pen names, including "A Weekly Look Round," "The Column Bawn," and "Cruiskeen Lawn"; manuscript articles, among them "Irish Whiskey Rebellion," "To the Irishman on the Street," "The Insect Play," and "Robinson's Cruise-O!"; and manuscript "sketches" and essays under the O'Nolan pseudonyms Flann O'Brien, George Knowall, and Myles na Gopaleen.

The collection also features manuscript stage plays, including "The Boy from Ballytearim",  "Faustus Kelly", and "Thirst"; and manuscript teleplays, including "Boots and Saddle," "Hullaballoons at Christmas," "The Ideas of O'Dea," "Is TV a Good Thing?," "Playing the Game," "Present Problems," and "Wedding Bells." There are also a large assortment of newspaper and magazine reviews of O'Nolan's plays and novels; book jackets, notebooks, and photographs of O'Nolan; and a number of related books and magazines, including the 1943 Dublin edition of "Faustus Kelly", the German editions of "At-Swim-Two-Birds" and "The Hard Life", and Hugh Leonard's 1965 stage adaptation of The Dalkey Archive, entitled "When the Saints Go Cycling In."

Repository: Southern Illinois University Special Collections Research Center

Access Restrictions: Unrestricted access.

Use Restrictions:

To quote in print, or otherwise reproduce in whole or in part in any publication, including on the World Wide Web, any material from this collection, the researcher must obtain permission from (1) the owner of the physical property and (2) the holder of the copyright.  Persons wishing to quote from this collection should consult Special Collections Research Center to determine copyright holders for information in this collection.  Reproduction of any item must contain the complete citation to the original.

As of 2017, Daniel C. Maher has represented the estate for many years.  The estate is also represented by A. M. Heath in the UK and Brandt & Hochman in the US.

Acquisition Source: Purchased

Related Materials: Flann O'Brien [pseudonym of Brian O'Nolan] Manuscripts and criticism, 1934-1989, Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin; Flann O'Brien collection, Archives and Manuscripts, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Preferred Citation: [after identification of item(s)], Brian O'Nolan papers, Special Collections Research Center, Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Other Note: For a itemized list of correspondence and manuscripts, please contact the repository.  The list is available in the reading room file cabinet.