Table of Contents
Scope and Contents of the Collection
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| Creator: | O'Sheel, Shaemas, 1886-1954. |
| Title: | Shaemas O'Sheel Letters |
| Inclusive Dates: | 1938-1941 |
| Quantity: | 1 folder (SC) |
| Abstract: | Letters from the Irish-American poet and critic to artist and illustrator Art Young. Mentions O'Sheel's relationship to the Communist Party, including his falling out and subsequent exile from the pages of New Masses. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center |
Biographical History
Shaemas O'Sheel (1886–1954) was an Irish-American poet and critic. Born Shaemas Shields, he changed his surname to the more Gaelic "O'Sheel" soon after high school. He worked for the United States Senate (1913-1916) followed by employment with various newspapers, did publicity and advertising work, and was active in the Irish independence movement. He was "a very ardent Communist and a staunch supporter of the Soviet Union" (letter, O'Sheel to Young, April 17, 1938), though he disagreed vigorously with their foreign policy; as a result many of the usual Communist and radical outlets such as New Masses were closed to him. He published four books of poetry, and his work appeared in the New York Times, the New York Times Book Review, Harper's, and other national publications.
[Portions of this biographical sketch adapted from O'Sheel's obituary in the New York Times, April 4, 1954.]
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The Shaemas O'Sheel Letters consist of two letters from Shaemas O'Sheel to artist Art Young regarding possible collaboration on a book. "A kind of book of indignation, as one might say...grand drawings from your pen, putting some of the evils and some of the villains of this age on the spit, turning them over a slow fire, to the accompaniment of "poems" in which I would strive to echo...the Olympian force of your pen." O'Sheel speaks, half-jokingly, of his desire "to begin the rehabilitation of my name, and even introduce it for the first time to the cruel generations of the youthful who know me not."
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Related Material
Special Collections Research Center has extensive collections relating to American radical writers and artists. Please refer to the SCRC Subject Index for a complete listing.
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Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Shaemas O'Sheel Letters,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Purchase, 2008.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: MRC
Date: 26 Nov 2008
Revision history: