Special Collections Department
Frank J. Hugh O'Donnell
Papers
Manuscript Collection Number: 136
Accessioned: Purchase, 1977
Extent: 1.3 linear ft.
Content: Letters, essays, reviews (criticism), programs, speeches,
notes, poems, clippings, pamphlets, tickets, painitngs, broadsides, prospectuses,
and playbills
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: Preliminary processing in 1979, completed 1993 by
Anita A. Wellner
-
Special Collections, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267
(302) 831-2229
Table of Contents
Biographical Note
As a young man, Irish businessman and amateur playwright Frank J. Hugh O'Donnell was noted for his political efforts on behalf of an Irish Free State while a member of the Senate in 1943-1944, 1951, and 1954. He was later recognized for his plays, which depicted Irish life and political struggles, and for his promotion of Irish commerce.
As the successful owner of the Dublin Shirt and Collar Industries, O'Donnell was a frequent and eloquent speaker on topics related to the Irish economy and the development of Irish industry. O'Donnell encouraged investments in Irish enterprises, advocated a scheme for national advertising of Irish products, and championed a Federation of Irish Industries. His speeches discussed the Irish problems of massive emigration and the neglect of industrial development, while encouraging the Irish to think nationally and to purchase Irish products.
As an amateur playwright, O'Donnell was mentored by his friend, Abbey playwright T. C. Murray. O'Donnell was most often recognized by his contemporaries as "being Ireland's most banned playwright" (The Irish Press, October 15, 1945). Both his O'Flaherty's Star (1945), and The Dawn-Mist: a play of the rebellion (1922) were banned by the British government for political reasons.
O'Donnell's first play, produced by Abbey Theatre, was The Drifters (1920). Although the critics found the two-act play unsuccessful, the Abbey later produced O'Donnell's Keeper of the Lights and Anti-Christ (1925).
In addition to plays, O'Donnell wrote articles on foreign politics for Irish and British newspapers, as well as creating poetry and short stories.
In addition to his literary, business, and political achievements, O'Donnell was recognized as one of Dublin's most successful collectors of modern paintings and as an active member of the Irish Literary Society (London) and the Dublin Rotary Club. O'Donnell also worked for years on plans for an Irish Federation of Amateur Dramatic Societies and a National Drama Festival.
Frank Hugh O'Donnell died on November 4, 1976 at his residence, Vartry Lodge,Killiney, County Dublin.
Sources:
Hogan, Robert and Richard Burnham. The Art of the Amateur 1916-1920. The Modern Irish Drama V. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Humanities Press, 1984. pp. 239-241, 250-255, 278.Note: Biographical information is also derived from the collection.
Scope and Content Note
The letters written to O'Donnell and collected in Series I. communicate O'Donnell's interests in the business world, especially in seeking foreign commerce for the Irish economy and the establishment of the Federation of Irish Industries, Inc.; his efforts to acquire performances of his plays; and his influence in Irish politics. The collection includes letters from managers of Irish theatres; Irish playwrights, artists, and literary figures; as well as businessmen and friends.
Some of the letters convey O'Donnell's interest in amateur drama leagues, such as his correspondence with J.J. Hayes, who assisted in founding The Little Theatre of Newark, (NJ) Inc. and the Drama Guild of the Oranges (NJ). Enclosed in the Hayes letters are eight programs for The Little Theatre of Newark.
In other letters, O'Donnell discusses the establishment of the Drama League of Dublin, his participation in the Dublin Rotary Club and the Irish Literary Society, his support of Catholic charities and Irish theatres, his interest in modern painters, and his overriding desire to promote the Irish national identity and economy of the Irish Free State.
Among the correspondents are noted literary figures including Austin Clarke, Denis Ireland, Edward Martyn, Sean O'Casey, Lennox Robinson, and W. B. Yeats. The nine letters from Yeats are particularly interesting, in that they demonstrate Yeats's helpful approach to the problems of the amateur playwright.
The copies of letters drafted by O'Donnell contain discussions of Irish independence and the political situation in Ireland, details of his attempts to find jobs for others, reflections on his marriage, and arrangements for speaking engagements. The drafts of two letters to Irish President de Valera reflect his concerns for the Irish State.
Among the manuscripts written by O'Donnell which are preserved in these papers are examples of O'Donnell's essays, short stories, poetry, addresses, and reviews. Although there are performance notes for The Dawn-Mist and Keeper of the Lights and a synopsis of a play titled Deirdre, no manuscripts of his plays are present. The essays reflect his interests in the theatre and politics and several of the manuscripts bear O'Donnell's pseudonyms, "Thomas Oriel," "Marcus Kinstone," and "Mans Cloonan."
The papers also include four manuscripts written by others, two of which are speeches on business topics. Patrick Sarsfield O'Hegarty's review of O'Donnell's play Futility and Frederick Robert Higgins's poem "Invocation" complete the series. In addition, a typescript of Constance de Markieviecz's play The Invincible Mother is enclosed in her letter to O'Donnell (F32) and Edward Martyn's autograph article, "Astraea Redux," is enclosed in one of his letters (F33).
Finally, the papers include several miscellaneous items relating to O'Donnell, including an Abbey Theatre placard for O'Donnell's play Anti-Christ, clippings about O'Donnell (especially his speeches and plays), a copy of The College Songs (1912), a passenger list for a 1923 cruise on the "President Monroe" (which lists O'Donnell), pamphlets concerning the Irish Literary Society, two unidentified watercolor paintings, a broadside titled "A Few 'Bars' on the 'Grate,'" as well as several tickets, prospectuses, and tear sheets.
Arrangement Note
Series Outline
Page
I. Letters to Frank Hugh O'Donnell, 1911-1974 8
II. Manuscripts written by O'Donnell, 1920-1926 14
III. Manuscripts written by others, 1923-1944 16
IV. Miscellaneous material relating to O'Donnell, 1911-1945 16
Contents List
1 Series I. Letters to Frank Hugh O'Donnell, 1911-1974
Includes some copies of letters from O'Donnell to others. All letters are
written to O'Donnell unless otherwise noted.
F1 Agate, James, 1877-1947
1925 Jan 26 ALS 2p
Note: Includes an ALS (1925 Jan 28) from O'Donnell to Agate
and a TL (carbon) draft of this letter.
F2 Bradley, H. Dennis, 1878-
1924-1926 Letters 16p
F3 Brennan, Robert, 1881-
[1926] TN 1p
Note: Signed Robert O'Breandain and includes a letter from
O'Donnell.
1928 Sep 26 TLS 1p
F4 Browne, Maurice, 1881-
To DeLeon, Jack
1929 Feb 19 TNS 1p
To O'Donnell, Frank J. Hugh
1929 Feb 11 TNS 1p
F5 Byrne, Laurence P.
1925 Oct 2 TLS 1p
Nov 17 TLS 1p
Note: This TLS is added to a TL from the Sunday Times to Byrne.
F6 Casson, Lewis, T.
1925 Letters 2p
Note: Includes copies of O'Donnell's two letters in reply to
Casson.
F7 Clarke, Austin, 1896-1974
1938 Jun 20 TLS 1p
1944 Nov 6 TLS 1p
1945 May 20 TLS 1p
Note: Includes information reagrding Lyric Theatre Company.
[1953 Jan 11] ALS 1p
F8 Columbus, Father
1925-1926 Letters 4p
Note: One of the letters is addressed to a Mr. Murray.
F9 Costello, John A.
1949 Dec 5 TNS 1p
1950 Nov 20 TNS 1p
F10 Costello, Thomas B.
1935 Sep 30 ALS 2p
Note: Includes labels of the Tuam Match Factory and a bank note.
Oct 25 ALS 3p
F11 De Blacam, Aodh, 1891-1951
1919 Oct 20 ALS 6p
Oct 30 ALS 1p
F12 De Leon, Jack
1928 Nov 5 TLS 1p
Note: Includes a copy of "Q" Theatre Gazette (April 1929) edited
by De Leon
F13 Doyle, John B.
1922 Jul 21 TLS 2p
F14 Duffy, Bernard, 1882-
1923-1929 Letters 15p
F15 Fallon, Gabriel
1973 Sep 9 ALS 1p
Dec 18 ALS 1p
F16 Fallon, Padraic, 1905-
1954 Jun 9 ALS 3p
Jun 22 ALS 3p
F17 Gallagher, H. T.
1941-1950 Letters 8p
Note: Includes a broadside concerning the Social Credit Party.
F18 Gould, Elizabeth Finlayson
1925 Jul 24 ALS 3p
1926 Aug 29 ALS 2p
Oct 8 ALS 4p
F19 Harris, Frank P., 1835-1931
1923 Jan 22 ALS 2p
Jan 28 ALS 2p
F20 Hayes, J. J.
-21 1922-1924 Letters 38p
Note: F21 includes 8 programs for The Little Theatre of Newark,
Inc. (Orange, NJ), a copy of Drama Calendar (9/24/1923), and
material concerning The Drama Guild of the Oranges, for which
Hayes was the secretary.
F22 Hayward, H. Richard
1926 Jun 30 TLS 1p
F23 Hennessy, Patrick
1951 Oct 7 ALS 1p
1954 Feb 1 ALS 1p
Note: Includes exhibition catalogue of Hennessy's paintings
(1953).
Mar 1 ALS 2p
F24 Ireland, Denis, 1894-
1938-1974 Letters 11p
F25 Kelly, Francis C.
1926 May 20 TLS 1p
Note: Includes two letters from O'Donnell to Kelly and to
Extension Magazine.
F26 Killanin, Michael Morris, Baron, 1914-
1949 Nov 15 ALS 2p
Nov 29 TL(m)S 2p
Note: Includes a list of equipment for the Irish Club in London.
Dec 1 ALS 1p
[1949 Dec 26] ACS 1p
F27 Krause, David, 1917-
1963 Jul 23 TLS 1p
Note: Includes two theatre programs for Sean O'Casey plays.
2 F28 MacBride, Sean
1947-1951 Letters 6p
Note: Includes an ALS and a TL from Gallagher to O'Donnell and
a clipping concerning MacBride (1974).
F29 MacDermott, Norman
1928-1953 Letters 20p
F30 MacManus, Lily
1925 Dec 3 ALS 1p
1926 Dec 16 ALS 5p
F31 Malleson, Lady Constance
[1935 Oct 11] TL 1p
Note: Includes a TL (mimeograph) with autograph corrections to
the editor of the Times, concerning mental hospitals and the mental
clinic movement.
F32 Markieviecz, Constance Georginia, de, 1868-1927
1925 Jan 20 ANS 1p
Note: Includes a Ts of Markieviecz's play "The Invincible
Mother."
F33 Martyn, Edward, 1859-1923
-34 1918 Sep 14 ALS 2p
1919 Nov 8 ACS 1p
1921 Mar 26 ALS 1p
Note: Includes an autograph article titled "Astraea Redux," signed
by Martyn. Also included in this folder are an O'Donnell Ts titled
"Edward Martyn" (8p) and a Ts agreement between Martyn and the
Irish Little Theatre. F34 includes clippings about Martyn.
F35 Mitchell, Susan L., 1866-1926
1920 Dec 28 ALS 2p
1925 Dec 11 ALS 2p
Note: Includes a copy of The Irish Home Journal (February 1923).
F36 Moore, Maurice
1935 Feb 8 ALS 2p
Note: Includes Ts (mimeograph) document titled "The Irish
Chamber for International Trade."
F37 Murphy, Thomas, 1935-
1974 Dec 15 ALS 1p
F38 Nelsey, R. C.
1928 Feb 27 ACS 2p
Mar 26 ALS 4p
1929 Feb 12 ALS 4p
Note: Includes a letter to Nelsey.
F39 O'Casey, Sean, 1880-1964
1925 Mar 26 ALS 1p
1930 Sep 24 ALS 3p
1953 Jan 23 TLS 1p
Feb 14 TLS 1p
[1954 Jun 1] CS 1p
1954 Dec 28 ALS 2p
1960 May 5 ALS 2p
F40 O'Donnell, Frank Hugh
To Armstrong, William
1926 Jun 16 TL 2p
To Bierne, Miss
1921 Jan 26 TLS 1p
Mar 30 ALS 3p
To de Valera, Eamonn, 1882-1975
1932 Feb 22 AL 3p
1935 Jun 11 ALS 3p
To Shepherd, O. B.
1932 Sep 27 ALS 2p
To The Evening Herald
[1926 Mar 9] ALS 2p
To Unidentified
1926 Mar 9 ALS 2p
[n.d.] AL 1p
To Walsh
1941 Feb 17 TL 5p
F41 O'Donnell, Frank Hugh
To O'Donnell, Maureen (Mrs. Frank J. Hugh)
1935 Aug 5-16 Letters 21p
F42 O'Donnell, Mrs. (mother of Frank J. Hugh)
[n.d.] ALS 4p
F43 O'Donnell, Peadar
1917 Oct 24 ANS 1p
Note: Editor of The Bell.
F44 O'Faolain, Sean, 1900-
1943 Mar 3 TLS 1p
Apr 21 TL 1p
F45 O'Hegarty, Patrick Sarsfield, 1879-1955
1922-1929 Letters 12p
Note: Includes an ALS from O'Donnell to O'Hegarty and one page
of proof signed by O'Hegarty.
F46 O'Lochlainn, Colm
1945 Jul 23 TNS 1p
F47 O'Neil, Peggy
1925-1927 Letters 9p
Note: One letter is addressed to Mr. Pinker.
F48 Pim, Herbert Moore, 1883-
1918 Feb 22 ALS 2p
F49 James B. Pinker & Sons
1925-1926 Letters 34p
Note: Includes two O'Donnell letters to Eric S. Pinker and a copy
of a letter from Agatha Bullitt Grabisch to Pinker.
3 F50 Robinson, Lennox, 1886-1958
1943 Feb 25 TLS 1p
Apr 20 TLS 1p
[1949] Nov 11 ANS 1p
Note: Includes a receipt for O'Donnell.
F51 Robinson, Percy
1928-1930 Letters 8p
F52 Sinclair, Arthur
1917 Apr 16 ALS 1p
1919 Jun 16 ACS 1p
F53 Skeffington, Hanna Sheehy
1919-1944 Letters 14p
F54 Taft, William H., III., 1915-
1953 Jun 26 TLS 2p
F55 Tuohy, Patrick
1926 Sep 22 ALS 1p
[n.d.] ALS 1p
F56 Ustinov, Peter
1953 Jul 16 ALS 1p
F57 Wallworth, H. M.
1919 Sep 23 ALS 2p
1925 Nov 25 ALS 2p
F58 Waters, B. Berthon
1945 Jul 31 ALS 1p
Note: Includes two copies of the newspaper Irish People (Nos. 1
& 53), which have been removed to the oversize section. 1948 Jun 1 ALS 1p
Jun 16 ALS 3p
F59 Wheatley, John, 1869-1930
1924 Mar 6 TLS 1p
F60 Winslow, Herbert Hall
1925-1926 Letters 7p
Note: Includes a newspaper clipping concerning Winslow's film
about Ireland titled Land of Her Fathers.
F61 Yeats, Georgie, d. 1968
[1923] Aug 14 ALS 3p
1957 Oct 10 ALS 1p
Yeats, W. B. (William Butler), 1865-1939
1918 Oct 31 ALS 1p
Note: Letter was dictated.
[1919] Mar 7 ANS 1p
[1919] Apr 25 ALS 2p
[1919] Aug 28 ALS 2p
[1919] Sep 19 ALS 2p
Note: Envelope bears autograph note by Yeats.
1919 Sep 19 Telegram 1p
Note: Autograph copy of a telegram from Yeats.
[1921] TLS 1p
1921 Mar 24 LS 1p
Note: Dictated letter, signed by Yeats.
[1922] Nov 16 ALS 3p
F62 Young, Elizabeth
[n.d.] ALS 4p
[n.d.] ALS 4p
Miscellaneous Letters, 1918-1954
F63 1918-1925
F64 1925-1954
F65 [n.d.]
4 Series II. Manuscripts written by O'Donnell, 1920-1926
F66 "Afterthoughts," [n.d.]
Typescript essay, which bears autograph corrections and is signed by O'Donnell as
"Marcus Kinstone." Page one is torn and part of the text is missing, 2p.
F67 "The American Japanese Question," [n.d.]
Autograph essay, signed "by Hugh Francis," 5p.
F68 "The Dawn-Mist and Keeper of the Lights [Notes]," 1920 Oct 30
Autograph performance notes for The Dawn-Mist and Keeper of the Lights, which
is signed by O'Donnell, 1p.
F69 "Deirdre," [n.d.]
Autograph synopsis of a play, 1p. Removed to oversize section.
F70 "The Drama & Ourselves: a Natural Repertory Movement," 1926 Apr 9
Autograph address, which bears revisions, 10p.
F71 "The Draper's Assistant," [n.d.]
Autograph short story, which bears revisions and is signed by O'Donnell as
"Thomas Oriel," 3p.
F72 "God Save the Press," [n.d.]
Autograph "idea for an opera," 2p.
F73 "High Heels," [n.d.]
Two typescript copies of the same essay, with the autograph note of page 3: "If
not suitable please return to Frank Hugh O'Donnell, 5 Castle Market Dublin."
Bears the typescript signature, "Mans Cloonan," 6p.
F74 "If Winter Comes...?" [n.d.]
Typescript review of actor Owen Nares performance in "If Winter Comes," 3p.
F75 "John McCormick - An Appreciation," 1924 Aug 10
Autograph essay with revisions, 7p.
F76 Poems, 1922-1925
"The Doughboy's Lament" and "An Ulster Dame's Reply," [n.d.], Ts (carbon),
both on same page, 1p.
"Eve," 1922 Sep 7, Autograph, initialed by O'Donnell, 1p.
"The owld blackthorn," [n.d.], Typescript with autograph revisions and signed, 2p.
"Retrospect," [n.d.], Autograph, 1p.
"To the Memory of the Countess Markieviecz," [n.d.], Autograph and signed, 2p.
"The White Commander," 1925 Nov 26, Autograph, initialed by O'Donnell, 2p.
F77 "Romance and Homespuns, Headwaggers and Pessimists," [n.d.]
Autograph essay, which bears revisions and a note requesting return of the
manuscript to O'Donnell and is signed "Marcus Kinstone," 4p.
F78 "To the Americans," 1923 Jul 27
Autograph essay, signed, 3p.
F79 "A Wizard in Petticoats," [n.d.]
Typescript short story, bearing a few autograph corrections, a note to return to
O'Donnell, and the typescript signature "Hugh Francis," 3p.
F80 Untitled essays, 1921 Dec 5 and [n.d.]
Includes a typescript essay concerning "the art of being miserable" (2p) and an
autograph essay concerning Irish President de Valera (4p, incomplete).
Series III. Manuscripts written by others, 1923-1944
F81 Cooke, Richard N., 1934 Mar 21
Typescript (carbon) address titled "The New Despotism," 19p. Includes a
program for the conference at which the address was presented.
F82 Higgins, Frederick Robert, [n.d.]
Typescript poem bearing the autograph title "Invocation," and inscribed "to F.J.H.
O'Donnell," 1p.
F83 O'Hegarty, Patrick Sarsfield, 1923 Apr 17
Autograph review of O'Donnell's play Futility, 2p.
F84 Rush, Kevin, 1944 Mar 24
Typescript (carbon) address titled "If Capitalism Is Dead - What Follows?" The
address bears autograph notes in the margins, 10p.
Series IV. Miscellaneous material relating to O'Donnell, 1911-1945
F85 Abbey Theatre placard for O'Donnell's play Anti-Christ, 1925 Mar 17
F86 Irish Literary Society, London, [1911]
Two pamphlets published by the society which detail the society's general rules
and lists the current members (including O'Donnell).
F87 Clippings about O'Donnell and his plays or speeches, 1925-1945
Includes preservation photocopies. One clipping removed to oversize section.
F88 United States Lines, "President Monroe" passenger list, 1923 Sep 19
Lists O'Donnell as a passenger.
F89 The College Songs, 1912
A copy of V. O'Brien's The College Songs (Dublin: John F. Fowler, 1912).
Includes autograph notes by O'Donnell and a sketch of a building.
F90 Broadsides, booklets, tickets, prospectuses, and tear sheets, 1928-1932
Includes a broadside titled "A Few 'Bars' on the 'Grate';" tear sheets from The
Economy of Human Life and Black Mask; copy of Maurice Level's story "The
Confession;" a copy of Andrew Soutar's booklet, "There's a Story in You: Writing
as a Profession;" tickets for a lecture and a play, and prospectuses for Transition
1932, Charles Duff's Mind Products Limited, and Solon Barber's Cross-Country.
F91 Two watercolor paintings by unidentified person, [n.d.]
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