Irish-American poet and story-writer, born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1828; died in Maryland in April 1862. He was educated at the University of Dublin, and served in the British army. About 1852 he came to the United States, and devoted himself to literature in New York City. He was connected with several important newspapers there, and contributed a great many sketches to Harper’s Magazine, in addition to writing plays and verse. O’Brien occupied a prominent position among the Bohemian literary men of New York at that time. In 1861 he joined the 7th New York volunteers, and afterward served on the staff. In February, 1862, he was severely wounded in a skirmish, and died from the effects of this wound about six weeks later. See also “The Lost Steamship,” “The Great Diamond is Obtained and Used” and The Diamond Lens.
