Fitz James O'Brien

Fitz-James O'Brien
Sketch of Fitz-James O'Brien by William Winter 1881
Born	25 October 1826 Cork, Ireland
Died	6 April 1862(1862-04-06) (aged 35) Cumberland, Maryland
Occupation	Writer, Poet, Soldier
Literary movement	Gothic fiction

Fitz-James O'Brien (1826/8 – 1862) was an Irish-born American writer known for his pioneering works in fantasy and science fiction short stories. His career was marked by a significant contribution to the American literary scene in the mid-19th century. During the American Civil War, he enlisted in the Union Army and was mortally wounded in one of the early battles of the conflict.

Biography

Roots and Early Influences

Michael Fitz-James O’Brien (1826/8-1862) was born in County Cork, Ireland, with some debate over the exact date and year of his birth; his first biographer, Francis Wolle, placed it between April and October of 1828. His father, James O’Brien, was a local attorney of some influence, while his paternal grandparents, Michael O’Brien and Catherine Deasy, owned Brownstone House near Clonakilty. Fitz-James’s mother, Eliza O’Driscoll, was significantly younger than James at the time of their marriage. Her parents, Michael and Helen O’Driscoll, owned Baltimore House in County Limerick. After James’s death around 1839/40, Eliza remarried DeCourcy O’Grady, and the family moved to Limerick, where Fitz-James spent most of his teenage years.

O’Brien enjoyed a privileged upbringing, mastering activities like hunting, fishing, horseback riding, boating, and shooting. He also had a passionate fascination with birdwatching, which influenced his semi-autobiographical works and non-speculative fiction stories. Thanks to his family’s considerable wealth, he was immersed in literature from a young age, with a profound interest in the works of the English Romantics. However, it was the American writer Edgar Allan Poe who left the most indelible mark on his formative years.

Aerial view of Lough Hyne from July 2019

O’Brien’s earliest literary endeavors revealed a deep reverence for his homeland, especially the geography of southwestern Ireland. His first six poems were published in The Nation (Irish newspaper), a weekly newspaper founded in 1842 to promote Irish nationalism, reflecting his early political convictions. Speculations about O’Brien’s whereabouts from March 1847 to July 1848 abound, with some suggesting he trained in law at Trinity College, Dublin, though no records confirm this. Others believe he might have served as a tutor in France, supported by his mastery of the French language and literature. His mother’s letter from October 1861 discussing the importance of a Continental tour in the O’Grady family tradition adds weight to this theory.

Early Career and London Adventures

In 1849, upon reaching adulthood, O’Brien inherited a substantial fortune estimated at around £8,000 from his father and maternal grandfather. With this wealth, he journeyed to London, leaving behind his native land and family, never to see either again. Despite this physical separation, O’Brien maintained a deep connection to Ireland through his published writings.

O’Brien’s arrival in London marked a significant chapter in his life. His stepfather's well-established surname, O’Grady, opened doors to esteemed social circles. He immersed himself in the city's vibrant offerings, attending parties, theatrical performances, and making extravagant purchases of clothing and books. However, within two years, O’Brien had depleted his inheritance, prompting him to seek alternative means of sustenance. His passion for writing presented significant opportunities, having already published several pieces in The Family Friend (magazine), a London-based magazine founded in January 1849. By the year's end, O’Brien achieved his first paid publication, marking a milestone in his burgeoning career.

The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park for the Grand International Exhibition of 1851

In 1851, O’Brien’s career reached a pivotal turning point with the Great Exhibition in London. The event provided a platform to showcase technological advancements and support the burgeoning middle class. Within the heart of this grand event, the Great Crystal Palace, O’Brien was appointed editor for The Parlour Magazine. In this role, he undertook multiple responsibilities, including providing translations for French literary works and writing original pieces, all while serving as the chief editor. The fast-paced nature of this work within the central hub of the world fair consumed O’Brien’s time and energy but also provided him with valuable experience in honing his literary craft. In 1852, O’Brien suddenly departed from London for America, amid rumors of an affair with a married woman. Seizing the opportunity, he swiftly boarded the first ship bound for America, equipped with scant funds but armed with remarkable letters of recommendation.

American Beginnings and Literary Connections

O’Brien’s inaugural year in America proved immensely fruitful. He quickly established vital connections, including a friendship with the Irish-American John Brougham, who launched the comedic publication The Lantern. O’Brien secured a position there, marking his debut in the American literary marketplace. He also bonded with Frank H. Bellew, an illustrator who brought O’Brien’s works to life in The Lantern and other publications throughout his career.

Pfaff's beer cellar in 1857. Depicted seated is Walt Whitman.

During the early 1850s, O’Brien formed deep and enduring friendships at Pfaff's Beer Hall, a hub for the New York Bohemians (who followed the lifestyle of Bohemianism), a group of intellectuals and artists. This circle, led by Henry Clapp, Jr., and featuring Ada Clare as its queen, included figures like Brougham and O’Brien, who assumed a princely role. The New York Bohemians comprised painters, sculptors, poets, actors, playwrights, novelists, storytellers, journalists, and critics, fostering an atmosphere of intellectual exchange and creative camaraderie.

O’Brien paid homage to the Bohemian movement in his story “The Bohemian” (1855), published in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine (Harper's Magazine). While he often immersed himself in the Bohemian lifestyle, his writing only subtly reflected these experiences. His non-speculative fiction and poetry continued to address social issues, revealing a world fraught with danger and indifference, compelling characters to confront their surroundings with resilience and courage. Despite the anonymity of publishing in that era, which makes it challenging to ascertain the precise count of his contributions, O’Brien’s prolific output and profound impact on the literary landscape remained undeniable. In 1855, he published seven poems and ten stories, followed by six poems and eight stories in 1856, and eleven poems and four stories in 1857.

Ascendancy in Weird and Horror Fiction

The year 1858 marked a significant turning point in O’Brien’s literary journey as he delved into weird and horror fiction, just as the influence of Romanticism was waning. While he never reached the same mastery as Poe, O’Brien adeptly incorporated many of Poe’s techniques, showcasing his skill as a writer. His true contribution lies in infusing contemporary sensibilities into his narratives, setting tales of terror within commonplace settings. This approach allowed him to bridge tales of terror with emerging methods of modern Realism, foreshadowing the literary movements of Modernism and Postmodernism. O’Brien expanded the boundaries of the genre, serving as a crucial link between Romanticism and Realism.

One of his most notable achievements is “The Diamond Lens,” published in The Atlantic Monthly in January 1858. This work exemplifies O’Brien’s ability to blend elements of the uncanny with a contemporary perspective. The narrative revolves around a mad scientist driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, a theme that recurs in O’Brien’s work. The pursuit of scientific enlightenment is tainted by the protagonist’s irrational desires and relentless quest for fame and fortune, leading him to morally questionable actions. The story, infused with philosophical undertones and moral introspection, prompts readers to contemplate fundamental questions about the human condition.

In 1859, O’Brien solidified his literary prowess with two more stories: “What Was It? A Mystery” in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine and “The Wondersmith” in The Atlantic. Both stories have become classics in horror and science fiction. “What Was It?” explores the concept of invisibility, while “The Wondersmith” is often regarded as the first story to explore robots. These narratives delve into profound philosophical territories, provoking contemplation on reality, ethics, and morality. O’Brien’s ability to intertwine philosophical depth with riveting storytelling cemented his status as a luminary of speculative fiction.

A Nation Divided and O’Brien’s Commitment

A period cartoon featuring O'Brien

In the turbulent 1850s, America was torn apart by internal strife, with slavery deepening the divide between the North and South. The nation teetered on the brink of Civil War, its unity threatened. At Pfaff’s Beer Hall, patrons viewed the impending conflict cynically, seeing it as a power struggle exploiting the common man for personal gain. Disillusioned, they believed neither the Democratic nor the Republican Party genuinely championed the nation's best interests, viewing the 1860 election as a mere shift in the privilege to plunder the country.

However, dissenting voices, including O’Brien’s, emerged. While some saw the war as a mere power struggle, O’Brien would find a deeper significance in the conflict. The attack on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, ignited Unionist fervor, resonating in New York. In response to President Lincoln’s call for support, New York mustered over thirteen thousand troops to safeguard the nation’s capital. A massive crowd of over one hundred thousand gathered at Union Square to bid farewell to the 7th New York Militia Regiment, composed of young merchants, bankers, professionals, and clerks, united in their determination to defend Washington.

The Departure of the 7th Regiment

O’Brien, recognizing the urgency, enlisted in the New York 7th Regiment, joining the defense of the capital. Inspired by a shared sense of purpose, he and his comrades prepared for the challenges ahead. Despite a warm welcome upon their return to New York on June 1, 1861, O’Brien’s spirit of service remained unwavering. He sought further opportunities to contribute, eventually joining General Lander’s staff in Virginia. Haunted by premonitions of his demise, O’Brien was deployed to Bloomery Gap, where he faced “Stonewall” Jackson’s cavalry. Wounded in battle, O’Brien endured a grueling journey for medical attention. Tragically, complications from an infection led to his death on April 6, 1862, leaving a legacy of courage and sacrifice.

His friend, William Winter, collected The Poems and Stories of Fitz James O'Brien, to which are added personal recollections by old associates that survived him. Mr. Winter also wrote a chapter on O'Brien in his book Brown Heath and Blue Bells (New York, 1895). O'Brien was satirized as "Fitzgammon O'Bouncer" in William North's posthumously published novel The Slave of the Lamp (1855).

Bibliography

Short Stories

• “An Arabian Night-mare” (Household Words, Nov. 8, 1851): A surreal tale that follows a merchant named Hamet, who experiences a fantastical and harrowing dream journey filled with jinn and supernatural encounters, reflecting themes of cultural dislocation and the mystical versus the rational.
• “A Legend of Barlagh Cave” (The Home Companion, Jan. 31, 1852): A tragic tale of fantasy that follows Aileen, a young maiden consumed by unrequited love, whose desperate quest for solace leads to a fatal encounter, highlighting the devastating effects of miscommunication and unfulfilled desire.
• “The Wonderful Adventures of Mr. Papplewick” (The Lantern, 1852): A science fiction story about a man who accidentally swallows a magnetic pill instead of a magnesium one, transforming himself into a human magnet and exploring themes of alienation and isolation that anticipate existentialist concerns.
• “The Old Boy” (The American Whig Review, Aug. 1852): A fantasy/science fiction story that follows Lionel Darkman, a young man who experiences an extensive and vivid dream in which he lives out the next ten years of his life, becoming a famous author. The dream is so realistic that when Lionel awakens and finds himself back in his teenage years, he struggles to reconcile his perceived future with his present reality. His knowledge of future events creates a sense of disorientation and difficulty in navigating his current life, as he grapples with the conflict between his dream and reality.
• “The Man Without a Shadow” (The Lantern, Sep. 4, 1852): A fantasy story of a man who discovers that a shadowy version of himself is following him. As he begins to interact with this shadow self, he finds that it only takes from him and causes torment. Eventually, the shadow disappears, leaving the man to reflect on the experience. The story is satirical and humorous, with self-referential and autobiographical elements, offering a playful yet poignant exploration of identity and self-perception.
• “A Voyage in My Bed” (The American Whig Review, Aug. 1852): A surreal fantasy story about an unnamed narrator who, struggling with insomnia, decides to take a nighttime walk. During his walk, he encounters an odd couple in a mysterious situation and attempts to intervene. However, he finds himself trapped by cobwebs sticking to his feet. As the scene unfolds, the characters suddenly turn to stone, and the narrator ultimately wakes up, realizing it was all a bizarre and vivid dream.
• “One Event” (The American Whig Review, Oct. 1852): A realistic story that follows John Vespar, who adopts a poor child named Annie as part of a twisted social engineering experiment to mold her into his ideal partner, ultimately intending to marry her. However, Annie falls in love with a local boy, Bolton Waller. Bolton reciprocates her feelings, but a mysterious circumstance forces him to leave, and he breaks up with Annie through a letter. Devastated, Annie kills herself in the freezing cold. John searches for her but finds her too late, frozen to death. Confronted with this tragedy, John resigns himself to a life of solitude, accepting that despite his intellectual pursuits, he is destined to be alone.
• “The King of Nodland and His Dwarf” (The American Whig Review, Dec. 1852): A political satire set on a fantasy island where the inhabitants spend most of their time sleeping. The island is ruled by a tyrannical king who imposes oppressive taxes on the people. The Nodlanders dominate a territory inhabited by the Cock-Crow Indians, whom they invade and enslave. The story serves as a critique of the political and social dynamics of America and England, using the fantastical elements to highlight issues of tyranny, exploitation, and colonialism.
• “A Peep Behind the Scenes” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Mar. 1854): A gothic tale about a young actor who loses his fiancée, serving as a parable about appreciating what and who you have in life. The title is a double entendre, offering insights into the world of theater while also reflecting on the ultimate stage—life itself. Through the protagonist's grief and reflections, the story underscores the importance of cherishing loved ones and the fleeting nature of existence.
• “The Bohemian” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Jul. 1855): A supernatural horror story featuring three characters: Henry Cranstoun, a lawyer desperate for wealth; Annie Deane, his fiancée with supernatural abilities; and Philip Brann, a bohemian mesmerist intent on hypnotizing Annie to discover the locations of lost treasures buried beneath New York. Cranstoun, despite Annie's hesitation, agrees to the plan. The hypnosis succeeds, but Annie falls gravely ill. Cranstoun and Brann leave to find the treasure, but when Cranstoun returns, he discovers that Annie has died in his absence. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pursuing wealth at all costs, highlighting the devastating consequences of greed and exploitation.
• “Duke Humphrey’s Dinner” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Aug. 1855): A poignant tale of tragedy and hope centered on Agnes Grey and Richard "Dick" Burdoon, both orphans with contrasting familial backgrounds. Agnes, from a wealthy family, falls in love with Dick, who has no relatives. Defying her family's wishes, Agnes marries Dick and is disinherited, leading the couple to a life of poverty. In one touching scene, they create an elaborate imaginary dinner, complete with a butler and chef, as a means of escaping their harsh reality. Caught up in their fantasy, they decide to sell their only valuable possession, a copy of Erasmus, to make ends meet. While out selling the book, Dick encounters Harry Waters, an old friend who is shocked by their impoverished state. Harry confronts the couple and convinces them to come live with him, offering them a glimmer of hope and a chance at a better life.
• “The Pot of Tulips” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Nov. 1855): A traditional ghost story featuring Harry Escott and Jasper Joye, who purchase a house from Harry's childhood, reputedly haunted by the ghosts of the Van Koerens, a wealthy Dutch family. Mr. Van Koeren was known to abuse his wife and child, Alain Van Koeren. Alain's daughter, Alice Van Koeren, is engaged to Harry, who buys the house to connect with her family history. After Mr. Van Koeren's death, his wealth goes missing, sparking numerous rumors. Harry and Jasper hope the house holds clues to the hidden fortune. One night, they encounter the ghosts of the Van Koerens, with Mr. Van Koeren holding a pot of tulips identical to one in their drawing room. This leads them to a hidden door in the house, revealing keys to the missing wealth. The story juxtaposes with "The Bohemian," as both feature characters seeking wealth to solidify their marriages. However, while one character in "The Bohemian" sacrifices his fiancée for wealth, Harry sacrifices for his fiancée and family, emphasizing themes of love and loyalty over greed.
• “The Dragon-Fang Possessed by the Conjuror Piou-Lu” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Mar. 1856): A fantasy and political satire set in ancient China, featuring the conjuror Piou-Lu. Arriving in the town of Tching-tou, Piou-Lu performs remarkable magic tricks using a powerful "dragon-fang" that grants him his abilities. He shares the story of how he acquired this mystical object: as a barber, he once treated an unusual man with a toothache, who turned out to be Lung, the dragon of the sky. After extracting Lung's tooth, Piou-Lu kept it, gaining its magical powers. Piou-Lu then visits the home of Wei-chang-tze, a local leader, and reveals his secret love for Wei-chang-tze's daughter, Wu. Additionally, Piou-Lu is secretly Tien-te, a rebel leader intent on overthrowing the corrupt political regime. He invites Wei-chang-tze to join his cause. However, a faction within the community discovers Piou-Lu's true identity and attempts to capture him, leading to chaos. During the upheaval, Piou-Lu and Wu manage to escape. Once Wu learns of his true identity as Tien-te, they work together to restore him to his rightful throne, successfully reclaiming his position and establishing a just rule.
• “The Hasheesh Eater” (Putnam’s Monthly Magazine, Sep. 1856): A surreal fantasy/horror story narrated by Edward, who recounts his past addiction to hasheesh, a drug he encountered during his travels in the Middle East. With the help of his friend Doctor Harry, Edward recovers from his addiction and forms a close bond with Harry's family, particularly with Harry's sisters, Ellen and Ida. Edward falls in love with Ida. One day, a package arrives from Harry, who is traveling abroad. The package contains various artifacts from the Middle East, including hasheesh. Despite initial hesitation, Edward is persuaded by Ellen to sample the drug. The remainder of the story delves into Edward's psychedelic and nightmarish trip, during which he imagines himself as a god. In his delusional state, he believes he has killed Ida by stabbing her. He flees, convinced he is now an outcast for his crime. When the effects of the drug wear off, Edward returns to normal life, realizing the horrors of his hallucination. In a symbolic act of renunciation, Ida throws the remaining hasheesh into the fire, symbolizing the end of Edward's ordeal and his renewed commitment to sobriety and reality.
• “A Terrible Night” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Oct. 1856): A horror story about two friends, Charley Costarre and Dick Linton, who are hiking and camping in Northern New York. Charley is engaged to Dick's sister, Bertha. While on their hike, they become lost in the woods and, in their desperation, stumble upon a remote cabin inhabited by a mysterious figure named Joel. Neither Charley nor Dick trust Joel but reluctantly accept his offer of hospitality for the night, remaining cautious and taking turns keeping watch. During the night, Charley, in a state of heightened anxiety and disorientation, mistakenly believes Joel is about to harm Dick. Acting on this belief, Charley shoots Joel, only to realize too late that he has accidentally killed Dick in his confused state. Charley is later put on trial but is acquitted on the grounds of "sleep-drunkenness," a condition that impaired his judgment and led to the tragic mistake.
• “The Mezzo-Matti” (Putnam’s Monthly Magazine, Nov. 1856): A psychological story that explores themes of identity and reality through the characters Beppo and Tito. Tito commissions Beppo to make him a new pair of shoes for his upcoming wedding. However, Beppo feels slighted, believing Tito thinks he is superior, and attempts to extort more money from him. Tito refuses to pay extra, prompting Beppo to claim he can get a higher price for the shoes elsewhere. Both men head to Naples, Tito for his wedding and Beppo to sell the shoes at the fair. Along the way, Beppo encounters numerous seemingly insane individuals who all insist that his shoes are a pair of pheasants. This constant reinforcement drives Beppo to believe the shoes are indeed pheasants. When he arrives in Naples and tries to sell the "pheasants," people tell him they are shoes, leading to his anger and subsequent arrest. It is revealed that Tito, with the help of a group called the "Mezzo-Matti," orchestrated the entire ruse as a form of justice to punish Beppo for his greedy behavior. The community's collective trick on Beppo serves to question his perception of reality and highlight the consequences of his actions.
• “The Crystal Bell” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Dec. 1856): A science fiction story centered on Gerald, who is staying at the Hominy House in the village of Hopskotch, New Jersey, on business during the dead of winter. Gerald befriends a stranger and offers him a place to stay when no rooms are available. In gratitude, the stranger gives Gerald a crystal bell talisman, explaining that it will tinkle whenever someone lies to him. Eager to test the bell's veracity, Gerald returns home, suspecting his fiancée, Annie Gray, of having an affair with Harry Aubyn. Upon arrival, the bell incessantly tinkles, confirming his fears. Accusing Annie of not loving him, Gerald becomes frantic, prompting Annie to think he is delusional. She smashes the crystal bell in frustration. Gerald then wakes up back at the Hominy House, realizing it was all a dream as the dinner bell rings.
• “A Day Dream” (Harper’s Weekly, Feb. 21, 1857): A horror story about the "Man About Town" and his friend Dimes, who plan to go out for dinner in the dangerous area of Five Points. Acknowledging the risks, Dimes reassures him that they will be accompanied by Capt. Currycomb, an officer, and reveals he has a revolver for protection. The "Man About Town" becomes obsessed with the gun, fantasizing about taking it from Dimes and shooting him. He vividly imagines the aftermath of the murder and the feeling of killing someone. Snapping back to reality, he returns the gun to Dimes, shaken by his own dark thoughts.
• “Broadway Bedeviled” (Putnam’s Monthly Magazine, Mar. 1857): A psychological horror story about an unnamed narrator whose addiction to alcohol has ruined his once-successful career as a surgeon. Disowned by his family out of embarrassment, he finds himself jobless and desolate. Seeking solace in a drink, he ventures downtown, only to become convinced that he is being followed. The story vividly depicts his frantic attempts to escape through the streets of New York, believing his pursuers are out to kill him. In a desperate moment, he strikes the supposed leader with his cane, but in the ensuing chaos, he is knocked unconscious. When he regains consciousness, he finds himself covered in blood and concludes that the pursuers were spectres haunting him, leaving readers to question the nature of his experience and the extent of his madness.
• “Uncle and Nephew” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Mar. 1857): A psychological horror story about Francois Thomas, his uncle M. Morlot, and Dr. Auvray, an expert on monomania. M. Morlot schemes to rob Francois of his inheritance by having him committed, exploiting Francois's fragile state after he failed to propose to his beloved Claire, who subsequently left town. Obsessed with finding Claire, Francois mistakenly asks random men for her hand in marriage. Morlot uses this to his advantage, tying up Francois and bringing him to Dr. Auvray. However, in the psychologist's office, Francois unties himself, restrains his uncle, and convinces the doctor that Morlot is the insane one. As Francois leaves, he learns that Dr. Auvray's daughter is indeed Claire, leading to their joyful reunion while M. Morlot is committed to an asylum, undone by his own plot.
• “The Comet and I” (Harper’s Weekly, May 23, 1857): A fantasy story in which a comet, personified as the devil, visits New York ahead of its impending collision with Earth. The comet's mission is to decide which parts of the city to destroy and which to spare. An unnamed narrator accompanies the comet on a tour around the city, showcasing its various facets. In return for his assistance, the comet promises to save the narrator from the impending disaster. Believing the end of the world is imminent, the narrator goes on a reckless spending spree. However, when the fateful day arrives, the comet decides not to cause any destruction, leaving the narrator burdened with massive debts. The story contains autobiographical elements, reflecting the author's own experiences and financial struggles.
• “My Wife’s Tempter” (Harper’s Weekly, Dec. 12, 1857): A horror story about Mark and Elsie Burns, a couple whose marriage is threatened by Elsie's potential affair with Hammond Brake, a Mormon. Hammond, who is trying to convert Elsie to his religion, also wants her to leave Mark. When Mark discovers the situation, he confronts Hammond with threats and insists that Elsie return to her father's home. The story explores themes of jealousy, religious manipulation, and the lengths one will go to protect their marriage.
• “The Diamond Lens” (The Atlantic Monthly, Jan. 1858): A fantasy/science fiction/horror story about Linley, a young scientist obsessed with creating the perfect microscope. Despite his wealthy family's desire for him to pursue business, Linley moves to New York under the guise of attending medical school to focus on his scientific ambitions. After his research stalls, he consults a seance and receives guidance from the spirit of Leeuwenhoek. Realizing his neighbor Simon has a diamond large enough for his needs, Linley murders him, stages it as a suicide, and steals the gem. Using the diamond, Linley discovers a microscopic world within a drop of water, inhabited by a beautiful female figure named Animula, with whom he becomes infatuated. His obsession leads to negligence, and the water drop evaporates, killing Animula and driving Linley insane. He spends the rest of his life giving science talks, aware that his audience is more interested in witnessing his madness than his knowledge. The story, exploring themes of obsession and the pursuit of knowledge at all costs, brought O'Brien his first significant fame as a writer.
• “From Hand to Mouth” (The New York Picayune, 1858): A surreal novella, one of O'Brien's longest short stories. The tale follows an unnamed narrator who encounters a mysterious figure, Count Goloptious, and his eerie establishment, the Hotel de Coup d'Oeil. After being locked out of his apartment one night, the narrator is offered a room at the strange hotel. Once inside, he quickly realizes the sinister nature of both the Count and the hotel, which features walls adorned with large eyes, ears, hands, and mouths that spy on guests. The narrator learns that he cannot leave and meets his neighbor, Rosamond, who is trapped because the Count has stolen her legs and hidden them in the basement. The Count demands payment for staying at the hotel, not in cash, but in written columns for a newspaper. Rosamond has a pet Green Bird capable of duplicating itself with a mirror. The narrator and the bird devise a plan to retrieve Rosamond's legs from the basement. However, their attempt is thwarted when they encounter a man carrying his head under his arm, who guides them to the basement. The Count catches them, stomps his feet, making the bird disappear, and transports the narrator to a cave by a huge blue lake burning with sulfur. The Count throws the narrator into the lake with other captured authors. The narrator then wakes up on the sidewalk outside his apartment, realizing the bizarre experience he endured.
• “The Golden Ingot” (The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, Aug. 1858): A horror story set on a stormy night when Doctor Luxor is awakened by a young girl named Brigand, who urgently requests his help for her injured father, a chemist. Upon arriving at their home, Doctor Luxor discovers that Brigand's father is obsessed with turning metal into gold and believes he has succeeded. However, he is delusional, and Brigand is pretending to support his belief to preserve his sanity. The old man accuses Brigand of stealing his supposed gold. Doctor Luxor attempts to convince the chemist of his delusion. When another experiment fails, the chemist is forced to confront the reality that his lifelong dream remains unfulfilled, leading to his death from the shock and despair.
• “The Lost Room” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Sep. 1858): A surreal fantasy/science fiction/horror story about an unnamed narrator who, unable to sleep, decides to take a walk to escape his stuffy apartment. Outside, he meets a ghoulish figure who warns him that his neighbors are cannibals. Dismissing the warning, the narrator returns to his apartment, only to feel an eerie sense of unease. Upon entering, he is blinded by a bright light and finds six strange figures in an apartment that resembles his but with unsettling differences. The guests welcome him and insist he join them, leading to a debate over whether it is indeed his apartment. They propose a game of chance—a roll of dice—for the ownership of the apartment, which the narrator loses. As he is ejected, he briefly sees his apartment return to normal, but once the door closes, it vanishes, replaced by a solid wall. The narrator is left unable to find his apartment ever again. This story, with its themes of disorientation and reality-bending, is comparable to H.P. Lovecraft's "The Music of Erich Zann," exploring the fragility of perception and the terror of an altered reality, and is considered one of O'Brien's best works.
• “Jubal, the Ringer” (The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, Sep. 1858): A horror/supernatural story about revenge and terror, centered on Jubal, the bell ringer at the church of Saint Fantasmos. Jubal is in love with Agatha and once saved her from drowning. However, when he confesses his love, she rejects him. On her wedding day, instead of ringing the bells in celebration, Jubal, consumed by vengeance, uses dark arts to bring down the church. As he rings the bells, the church collapses, killing everyone inside, including the bride, groom, and Jubal himself. The story highlights the destructive power of unrequited love and the horrifying consequences of revenge.
• “Three of a Trade; or, Red Little Kriss Kringle” (Saturday Press, Dec. 25, 1858): A fantasy story set during Christmas, a common theme for O'Brien. It follows two orphaned brothers, Binnie and Tip, who are freezing on the snowy streets. As they reminisce about happier times with their mother and the gifts brought by Kris Kringle, they notice a shivering figure in the distance. Mistaking it for Kris Kringle, they beckon the creature to join them, only to discover it is a circus monkey dressed in a red jacket with a sword, having escaped with a chain around its neck. The boys huddle together with the monkey, trying to keep it warm. Tragically, by morning, all three have frozen to death on the street, highlighting the harsh realities of life and the innocence of childhood dreams amidst suffering.
• “What Was It? A Mystery” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Mar. 1859): A horror/science fiction story about two friends, Harry Escott and Dr. Hammond, who take up residence in a haunted house in New York, hoping to experience supernatural encounters. Initially disappointed, their wish comes true one night after they indulge in opium and philosophical discussions about the nature of horror. Harry is suddenly awakened by the sensation of being attacked by an unseen force. He manages to fight off and subdue the creature, only to discover it is invisible. Skeptical at first, Dr. Hammond is convinced of the creature's existence after touching it. Unsure of how to handle the situation, they attempt to feed the creature, but it appears to be dying. They call in another doctor to chloroform the creature and encase it in plaster of Paris to capture its shape. The mould reveals the creature to be the size of a young boy, but stocky and misshapen like a ghoul. The creature dies, and its body is buried while the mould is given to a circus. This story, one of O'Brien's more famous works, explores themes of skepticism and challenges the popular philosophical movement of realism of the time.
• “The Wondersmith” (The Atlantic Monthly, Oct. 1859): A science fiction/fantasy horror story about horror and revenge, centered on Herr Hippe, a mysterious shop owner believed to be a magician or wizard. Hippe conspires with other malevolent characters, including Madame Filomel, to carry out a diabolical scheme. Hippe crafts wooden dolls, while Filomel collects evil souls in a bottle. Their plan is to animate the dolls with these souls on Christmas Eve and give them as gifts to children, who will be murdered by the dolls on Christmas Day using poisoned weapons. The group tests their plan on a local bird shop, resulting in horrific success. During their celebration, they accidentally knock over the bottle, causing the souls to animate the dolls prematurely. The dolls turn on the conspirators, stabbing them to death. In a desperate attempt to destroy the dolls, the conspirators throw them into the fire, but the fire spreads, consuming the house and delivering fiery justice. The story explores themes of revenge and the dangers of mad science gone awry.
• “Mother of Pearl” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Feb. 1860): A psychological horror story about a married couple, Gerald and Minnie, who face significant challenges in their relationship. Minnie turns to hasheesh to cope with her unhappiness. One weekend in New York, after a night at the theater, Minnie tries to murder Gerald but has no recollection of the incident. Gerald, now distrustful, takes Minnie back home and brings in Doctor Melony, a family friend, to help. Minnie admits her unhappiness in the marriage. One night, after Minnie has gone to bed, Gerald and Melony sense an eerie silence in the house. They rush to the bedroom to find Minnie standing over their child with a bloody knife, revealing the depth of her turmoil and the horror that has engulfed their family.
• “The Child That Loved a Grave” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Apr. 1861): A fantasy gothic story about a young boy who spends his days and nights at the grave of another child, seeking solace from the abuse he suffers at home. The grave provides him with a sense of companionship and peace. One day, strange men arrive at the church graveyard to exhume the child's grave for relocation. Despite the boy's pleas to leave the grave undisturbed, the men complete their task. Heartbroken, the boy returns home and tells his family that he will be dead by morning, requesting to be buried in the now unoccupied grave. The story explores themes of loneliness, solace in death, and the haunting impact of neglect and abuse.
• “Tommatoo” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Aug. 1862):
• “How I Lost My Gravity” (Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, May 1864): A posthumously published science fiction short story about Mr. Wisp, a tinkerer with scientific inclinations. One day, Mr. Wisp visits a fellow scientist, Chilton, who owns a shop and discovers a fascinating gadget that appears to defy gravity, spinning and flying like a top. Intrigued, Mr. Wisp purchases the toy and takes it home, where he constructs a larger version using the same principles. Eager to test his creation, he sits in the middle as the navigator and sets it spinning. Initially, the top flies successfully, but soon he realizes he has miscalculated, and the object begins to tear apart mid-flight. As the destruction ensues, Mr. Wisp wakes up, realizing it was all a dream, reflecting his subconscious fears and the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition.

Poetry

• "Oh! Give a Desert Life to Me" (The Nation, Dublin, Mar. 15, 1845)
• "Loch Ina, A Beautiful Salt-Water Lake, in the County of Cork" (The Nation, Dublin, Jul. 26, 1845)
• "The Famine" (The Nation, Dublin, Mar. 7, 1846)
• "Forest Thoughts" (The Cork Magazine, Dec. 1848)
• "The Lonely Oak" (The Parlour Magazine, Jul 12, 1851)
• "Madness" (The American Whig Review, Aug. 1852)
• "Pallida" (The American Whig Review, Sep. 1852)
• "The Song of the Immortal Gods" (The American Whig Review, Sep. 1852)
• "The Old Knight's Wassail" (The American Whig Review, Sep. 1852)
• "The Shadow by the Tree" (The American Whig Review, Oct. 1852)
• "Oinea" (The American Whig Review, Dec. 1852)
• "Sir Brasil's Falcon" (United States Magazine and Democratic Review, Sep. 1853)
• "The Heath" (The Evening Post, Oct. 19, 1855)
• "An Episode" (The Evening Post, May. 1, 1856)
• "The Ghosts" (The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Review, Jan. 1859)
• "The Man at the Door" (The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Review, Jan. 1861)

Essays

• "The Way to Get Burried" (The New York Daily Times, Mar. 19, 1853)
• "The Two Skulls" (Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Feb. 1853)
• "Bird Gossip" (Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Nov. 1855)

Collections

• Winter, William, ed. (1881). The Poems and Stories of Fitz James O'Brien. Boston: James R. Osgood and Co.
• ___. (1893). The Diamond Lens with Other Stories by Fitz-James O'Brien. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
• O'Brien, Edward J., ed. (1925). Collected Stories by Fitz-James O'Brien. New York: Albert and Charles Boni.
• Seldes, Gilbert, ed. (1932). The Diamond Lens and Other Stories by Fitz-James O'Brien. Illustrations by Ferdinand Huszti Howath. New York: William Edwin Rudge.
• Salmonson, Jessica Amanda, ed. (2008). The Wondersmith and Others. Ashcroft, British Columbia: Ash-Tree Press.
• Kime, Wayne R., ed. (2011). Behind the Curtain: Selected Fiction of Fitz-James O’Brien, 1853-1860. Newark: University of Delaware Press.
• ___. (2012) Thirteen Stories by Fitz-James O’Brien: The Realm of the Mind. Newark: University of Delaware Press.
• Irish, John P., ed. (2017). Fitz-James O'Brien: Gothic Short Stories. Texas.
• ___. (2018). Fitz-James O'Brien: Short Stories (1851-1855). (The Collected Writings of O'Brien, vol. 1). Texas.
• ___. (2018). Fitz-James O'Brien: Short Stories (1856-1864). (The Collected Writings of O'Brien, vol. 2).Texas.
• ___. (2018). Fitz-James O'Brien: Poetry & Music. (The Collected Writings of O'Brien, vol. 3).Texas.
• ___. (2018). The Best of Fitz-James O'Brien. (The Collected Writings of O'Brien, vol. 6).Texas.
• ___. (2025). The Lost Room and other Speculative Fiction. (Classics of Gothic Horror). New York: Hippocampus Press.

Further Reading

• Anderson, Douglas A. “Questioning Attributions of Stories: Supposedly by Fitz-James O’Brien.” The Green Book: Writings on Irish Gothic, Supernatural and Fantastic Literature. Issue 23 (2024): 22-32.

• Bleiler, Richard. “Fitz-James O’Brien (1828-1862).” The Green Book: Writings on Irish Gothic, Supernatural and Fantastic Literature. Issue 18 (2021): 37-51.

• Chartier, Cecile. “An Inquiry into the Narrator's Psychological Conundrum in O'Brien's 'What Was It? A Mystery'” In Seeing the Unseen: Responses to Fitz-James O'Brien's 'What Was It? A Mystery', 109-118. Oxford: The Onslaught Press, 2014.

• Clareson, Thomas D. “Fitz-James O’Brien.” In Supernatural Fiction Writers: Fantasy and Horror, Vol. 2, edited by E. F. Bleiler. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1985: 717-722.

• Corstorphine, Kevin. “Fitz-James O’Brien: The Seen and the Unseen.” The Green Book: Writings on Irish Gothic, Supernatural and Fantastic Literature. Issue 5 (2015): 5-25.

• Dimeo, Steven. "Psychological Symbolism in Three Early Tales of Invisibility." In Riverside Quarterly 5, MLA-IB, 1977: 20-27.

• Fanning, Charles. The Irish Voice in America: 250 Years of Irish-American Fiction. Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 2000.

• Fennell, Jack. “Mad Science and the Empire: Fitz-James O’Brien and Robert Cromie.” In Irish Science Fiction. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2014: 32-61.

• Huff, Joyce L. "The Domesticated Monster: Freakishness and Masculinity in Fitz-James O'Brien's 'What Was It?" Nineteenth-Century Gender Studies 4, no. 2, 2008.

• Irish, John P. “Fitz-James O’Brien Hands in His Chips: His New York Writings on Slavery and the Civil War.” New York History 103 (Summer 2022): 104-122.

• ___. “Ireland’s Forgotten Poet: Fitz-James O’Brien’s Writings in The Nation,” SMU Pony Express(Ions) 2021 Edition, August 17, 2020, https://smuponyexpressions.wordpress.com/2020/08/17/irelands-forgotten-poet-fitz-james-obriens-writings-in-the-nation/.

• ___. “‘Of Nobler Song Than Mine’: Social Justice in the Life, Times, and Writings of Fitz-James O’Brien” (2019). SMU Graduate Liberal Studies Theses and Dissertations. https://scholar.smu.edu/simmons_gls_etds/3

• ___. “Stories of Genius and Madness: Fitz-James O’Brien’s Laboratories of the Mind.” The Green Book: Writings on Irish Gothic, Supernatural and Fantastic Literature. Issue 23 (2024): 33-44.

• Jouanne, Kristine Hoyt. “How Much of a Man is Three Fifths of a Man? Fitz-James O'Brien & the Dred Scott Decision.” In Seeing the Unseen: Responses to Fitz-James O'Brien's 'What Was It? A Mystery', 47-66. Oxford: The Onslaught Press, 2014.

• Lause, Mark A. The Antebellum Crisis and America's First Bohemians. Kent, Ohio: Kent State University Press, 2009.

• Levin, Joanna. Bohemia in America, 1858 – 1920. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 2010.

• MacIntyre, Feargus Gwynplaine. “Seeing the Unseen: Creating a Biology and a Biome for Fitz-James O'Brien's Invisible Ghoul.” In Seeing the Unseen: Responses to Fitz-James O'Brien's 'What Was It? A Mystery', 69-95. Oxford: The Onslaught Press, 2014.

• Moskowitz, Sam. “The Fabulous Fantasist—Fitz-James O’Brien.” In Explorers of the Infinite: Shapers of Science Fiction. New York: World Publishing Co., 1963: 62-72.

• Orford, Pete. “Unfamiliar in their Mouths: The Possible Contributions of Fitz-James O’Brien to Household Words.” In Charles Dickens and the Mid-Victorian Press, 1850-1870, edited by Hazel Mackenzie and Ben Winyard, 211-231. Buckingham: University of Buckingham Press, 2013.

• ___. "What are they? The Pseudo-mystery stories of Fitz-James O'Brien." Clues: A Journal of Detection, 30:2, Autumn 2012: 10-18.

• Parry, Albert. Garrets and Pretenders: Bohemian Life in America from Poe to Kerouac. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 2012.

• Pattee, Fred Lewis. The Development of the American Short Story: An Historical Survey. New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1923.

• ___. The Feminine Fifties. New York: D. Appleton-Century Company, 1940.

• Quinn, Arthur Hobson. "Some Phases of the Supernatural in American Literature." PMLA, Vol. 25, No. 1 (1910): 114-133.

• Riley, Joseph J. "A Keltic Poe." The Catholic World (March, 1920): 751-762.

• Satelmajer,Ingrid. "Publishing Pfaff’s: Henry Clapp and Poetry in the Saturday Press.” In Whitman among the Bohemians, edited by Joanna Levin & Edward Whitley. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press, 2014.

• Staunton, Mathew D. “Not a Spook: A Personal Response to 'What Was It? A Mystery'” In Seeing the Unseen: Responses to Fitz-James O'Brien's 'What Was It? A Mystery', 135-165. Oxford: The Onslaught Press, 2014.

• Tauvry, Alexandra. “Invisibility in 'What Was It? A Mystery'” In Seeing the Unseen: Responses to Fitz-James O'Brien's 'What Was It? A Mystery', 121-132. Oxford: The Onslaught Press, 2014.

• Westfhal, Gary. "'The Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Edgar Allan Poe Type of Story': Hugo Gernsback's History of Science Fiction." Science Fiction Studies, Vol. 19, No. 3 (Nov., 1992): 340-353.

• Whitley, Edward. "The Southern Origins of Bohemian New York: Edward Howland, Ada Clare, and Edgar Allan Poe." In The Bohemian South: Creating Countercultures, from Poe to Punk, edited by Shawn Chandler Bingham and Lindsey A. Freeman. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press, 2017.

External links

• Works by Fitz James O'Brien at Project Gutenberg
• Works by or about Fitz James O'Brien at Internet Archive
• Works by Fitz James O'Brien at LibriVox (public domain audiobooks)
• "FitzJames O'Brien Bibliography". Violet Books. 10 February 1999. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012.
• "Summary Bibliography: Fitz-James O'Brien". The Internet Speculative Fiction Database. 24 April 2006.
• O'Brien, Fitz-James. "The Lost Room". ManyBooks.
• "O'Brien, Fitz-James (1826-1862)". The Vault at Pfaff's. 11 January 1922.
• Everts, Randal A. "Michael Fitz-James O'Brien (1826–1862)". TheStrangeCompany.us.