Dictionary.net

An Irish novelist, dramatist, and poet; born at Limerick, Dec. 12, 1803; died at Cork, June 12, 1840. In 1823 he went to London and embarked upon a literary career. His first success in fiction was "Holland Tide; or Munster Popular Tales" (1827), a series of short stories. "Tales of the Munster Festivals" (1827) also became speedily popular, and "The Collegians" (1829), a second series of the former, still further increased his reputation; on it Dion Boucicault founded his well-known play "The Colleen Bawn". Among his other works are: "Tales Illustrative of the Five Senses" (1830); "The Invasion" (1832), a historical novel; "Tales of my Neighborhood" (1835); "Gisippus, or the Forgotten Friend", a tragedy; and many spirited lyrics.