Richard Barry O'Brien ware born in Kilrush, in the mid-west region of Ireland, in 1847. He was passionate about Ireland, particularly its history and politics, although his first love was always of writing, which he preferred even when offered the opportunity to get into politics. O'Brien studied law at Catholic University in Dublin. He was called to the Irish bar in 1874, and to the English bar in 1875. O'Brien wrote voluminously, including such works as The Irish Land Question and English Public Opinion (1879), Thomas Drummond: life and letters (1899), and Irish Memories (1918). Not surprisingly, O'Brien began and served as the president of the Irish Literary Society of London. He passed away in 1918.