Frank O'Connor

About

A 20th-century Irish author of short fiction, he is best known for "The Man of the House" and other autobiographical stories. The Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award was named in his honor.

Before Fame

He served in the Irish Republican Army during the Irish War of Independence. Later, he worked as the managing director of the famous Abbey Theatre in Dublin.

Trivia

His wartime experiences factored into his decision to publish "The Big Fellow," a biography of an Irish Independence leader.

Family Life

His father was an alcoholic, so his mother took care of him and his siblings and provided most of the family's income. O'Connor was married twice--to Evelyn Bowen and Harriet Rich-- and fathered four children.

Associated With

He was on the Board of Directors of the historic Abbey Theatre, which was founded by Irish poet William Butler Yeats.