O'Sheel, Shaemas, 1886-1954

Shaemas O'Sheel (1886–1954) was an Irish-American poet and critic. Born Shaemas Shields, he changed his surname to the more Gaelic "O'Sheel" soon after high school. He worked for the United States Senate (1913-1916) followed by employment with various newspapers, did publicity and advertising work, and was active in the Irish independence movement. He was "a very ardent Communist and a staunch supporter of the Soviet Union" (letter, O'Sheel to Young, April 17, 1938), though he disagreed vigorously with their foreign policy; as a result many of the usual Communist and radical outlets such as New Masses were closed to him. He published four books of poetry, and his work appeared in the New York Times, the New York Times Book Review, Harper's, and other national publications.

[Portions of this biographical sketch adapted from O'Sheel's obituary in the New York Times, April 4, 1954.]

From the guide to the Shaemas O'Sheel Letters, 1938-1941, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)