You are here: home > Collections > Personal, Family and Literary Papers > O'Brien, Sophie, wife of William O'Brien

Personal Papers: O'Brien, Sophie, wife of William O'Brien, M.P.

Ref. Code: PR25

Papers of Sophie O’Brien (1860-1960) (Mrs. William O’Brien) neé Sophie Raffalovich born in Odessa, Russia, the only daughter of Marie and Hermann Raffalovich. Married William O'Brien M.P. in 1890. At the time, O’Brien was editor of the Irish Land League newspaper, United Ireland. Sophie O'Brien provided much moral and practical support to William O'Brien, acting as his secretary and devoting herself to his welfare, and her wealth was used in financing his political activities. She produced a number of books and articles during her lifetime.

Sophie O'Brien’s husband, William O'Brien M.P. (1852-1928) was a journalist, writer and a major nationalist political figure from Mallow, County Cork. He was particularly involved in the campaigns for land reform in Ireland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Section A contains some of Sophie O'Brien’s writings and manuscripts. Her writings include a draft manuscript of her unpublished autobiography ‘Recollections of a Long Life’ , a more complete typescript of the autobiography, plus additional notes she intended to add to the work. Also found are some ‘Intimate Notes about William O'Brien and some of his friends’, which give a personal insight into William O'Brien’s character and political life, and their life in Mallow.

Section B contains correspondence, mainly from Sophie O'Brien to her friend Captain Lucey in 1938, concerning the proposed publication of her autobiography. Section C.I contains news clippings of articles by Sophie O'Brien in various news papers and journals covering personal and non-personal topics. Section C.II contains other news cuttings, including a number relating to husband William O'Brien M.P., and an article by him on Tim Healy. Section D contains photographs. These include photographs of Sophie O'Brien, William O'Brien, friends and relations, a photo. of William O'Brien with press associates in the U.S.A. in 1887 and photographs of scenes outside Tipperary Courthouse in October 1890.

Date: 1887-1945
Extent: 62 items
Level of Description: Fond
Finding Aid: PR25 Descriptive List (213KB)
Access: By appointment and application form. For more information, see notes on access.