Barrett, Eaton Stannard.—Satirist and poet, and one of the wittiest of writers. Born in Cork in 1786, he graduated at Trinity College, Dublin, and became a barrister in London. Some of his satires had great vogue, especially “All the Talents,” which was directed against a ministry still known by that description. He was the author of various burlesque novels, plays, and poems, but could write well on serious topics. Barrett died in Glamorganshire, Wales, on March 20th, 1820, through the bursting of a blood-vessel.
Boucicault, Dion.—The real name of this popular dramatist and actor was Dionysius Lardner Bourcicault. He was born in Dublin on December 26th, 1822, and wrote the comedy of “London Assurance,” when only nineteen years old. His Irish dramas are well known, and are still considered the best of their kind. He was an admirable comedian, as well as dramatic writer. He spent many years in the United States, and died there in September 1890.
Bourke, James Joseph.—Born in Dublin on September 17th, 1837. His poems are very widely known and appreciated among Irish people. Over the signature of “Tiria” he wrote largely for the Irish newspapers of the last thirty years. He died on April 28th, 1894.
Boyle, William.—There are few Irish authors whose writings are more racy than his. He was born in 1853 at Dromiskin, co. Louth, and was educated at St. Mary’s College, Dundalk. He entered the Inland Revenue department in 1874, and is now stationed in Glasgow.
Canning, George.—Born in London on April 11th, 1770. His father and mother were Irish, and he insisted that he was an Irishman born out of Ireland. After a brilliant Parliamentary career he became Prime Minister in 1827, but only held the position about three months, his death occurring on August 8th of that year. His witty essays were written in early life for The Microcosm and Anti-Jacobin.
Cannings, Thomas.—A private soldier, who published at Cork in 1800, or thereabouts, a volume of Detached Pieces in Verse. He belonged to the 61st Regiment.
Carleton, William.—Author of the Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry, and recognised as one of the greatest delineators of Irish character. Born at Prillisk, co. Tyrone, in 1794, he was the son of a peasant. His best-known work, already mentioned, appeared in 1830, and after that date scarcely a year passed without a new work of his appearing. He wrote largely for the Dublin University Magazine, etc., and was granted a Civil List pension of £200 by Lord John Russell. He died near Dublin on January 30th, 1869.
Coleman, Patrick James.—A native of Ballaghadeerin, co. Mayo, where he was born on September 2nd, 1867. He matriculated in London University, and in 1888 went to America. He now occupies a position in the journalistic world of Philadelphia, and is regarded as one of the rising Irish-American poets.
Curran, John Philpot.—This noted orator and wit was born at Newmarket, co. Cork, on July 24th, 1750. His patriotism has endeared him to his countrymen, and his eloquence and humour have made his name widely familiar. He became Master of the Rolls in Ireland in 1806, and died in London on October 14th, 1817.
Dawson, Arthur.—A Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland, was born about 1700, and graduated B.A. at Dublin University. He was appointed Baron of the Irish Court of Exchequer in 1742, and died in 1775.