John Myers O’Hara Letters to John Hervey

Collection

Identifier: Midwest-MS-171

Staff Only

Scope and Content of the Collection

Six letters from John Myers O’Hara to his friend and occasional collaborator, John Hervey. Subject matter ranges from elaboration of O’Hara’s financial woes, his gratitude to Hervey for his support and friendship, his latest poetic output and possible publication, and details concerning his siblings and his family history.

Dates

Creation: 1914-1941

Creator

O'Hara, John Myers, 1870-1944 (Person)

Language

Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The John Myers O’Hara Letters to John Hervey are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room (Priority III).

Ownership and Literary Rights

The John Myers O’Hara Letters to John Hervey are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Biography of John Myers O’Hara

Lawyer and stockbroker, but notably a writer of poetry, prose and literary translations.

Born into a wealthy Chicago family in 1870, O’Hara was educated and then practiced law in that city until he moved permanently to New York City in his early thirties. He worked as a broker, and although he and his family lost their fortunes in the 1929 financial crash, O’Hara continued to work as a broker and as a poet. Much of his poetic output consisted of volumes of sonnets and translations of Greek, Roman and French authors, but he also produced original works purported to be translations of foreign literature.

O’Hara was well-known and active in poetical circles of his day, and engaged in lengthy correspondence with several women writers, most notably Sara Teasdale.

John Myers O’Hara died in 1944.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Additional Description

Abstract

Six letters from John Myers O’Hara to his friend and occasional collaborator, John Hervey, mostly concerning his financial problems, his family and his writing.