Kathleen Coyle
Kathleen Coyle | |
---|---|
Born | 23 October 1886 |
Died | 25 March 1952 Philadelphia, United States | (aged 65)
Nationality | Irish |
Notable work | A Flock of Birds (1930), The Magical Realm (1943) |
Kathleen Coyle (23 October 1886 – 25 March 1952) was an Irish novelist, best known for her autobiographical work.[1][2]
Early life
Kathleen Coyle was born in Derry on 23 October 1886.[3] She was the eldest child of John and Catherine Coyle (née McKenna). Catherine Coyle was born in New York City, but was brought up in Ireland and had Irish roots. The Coyle family was initially wealthy, but Kathleen Coyle's autobiography, The Magical Realm, details the decline of their fortunes, in particular how her father had no occupation and instead lived on his wife's inheritance.[1] John Coyle was an alcoholic and died young in his 40s. Coyle suffered an injury in childhood which resulted in a permanent limp.[4] Coyle was primarily educated privately at home, receiving some schooling in a local convent. She spent three weeks at the Young Ladies' Academy in Derry, but left as her family could not afford the fees. In 1906, her mother sold the family home in Glendermott and moved to Liverpool. Whilst there, Coyle worked in a public library. Three years later, in 1909, the Coyles moved to London, and in an effort to support her family Coyle took up employment in a newspaper office. It was during this time in London that Coyle met Rebecca West, with West noting that she was "impressed and almost alarmed by her endowment of poetic sensitivity."[1]
Activism and writing
Coyle returned to Ireland in 1911, and whilst in
Selected writings
Novels[3]
- Picadilly, Dutton (New York, NY), 1923.
- The Widow's House, Dutton (New York, NY), 1924.
- It Is Better to Tell, J. Cape (London), 1927.
- Shula Agra (title means "Youth in the Saddle"), Dutton (New York City), 1927.
- Liv, introduction by Rebecca West, Dutton (New York, NY), 1929.
- A Flock of Birds, Dutton (New York, NY), 1930.
- The French Husband, Dutton (New York, NY), 1932.
- The Skeleton, Dutton (New York, NY), 1933.
- Morning Comes Early, Dutton (New York, NY), 1934.
- Undue Fulfillment, Morrow (New York, NY), 1934.
- Immortal Ease, Dutton (New York, NY), 1939.
- Who Dwell with Wonder, Dutton (New York, NY), 1940.
- To Hold against Famine, Dutton (New York, NY), 1942.
Other Works[3]
- The Magical Realm (memoir), Dutton (New York, NY), 1943, with a biographical note by Siobhan Campbell, Wolfhound Press (Dublin), 1997.
- Josephine, (nonfiction), illustrated by Peggy Bacon, Harper (New York, NY), 1942.
- Major, and the Others (short stories), Dutton (New York, NY), 1942.
- Brittany Summer (juvenile), illustrated by Richard Floethe, Harper (New York, NY), 1940.
Later life
Despite producing a large amount of writing, Coyle often struggled with money. In total, she published 19 novels and two autobiographies.
References
- ^ a b c d e Frances, Clarke (2009). "Coyle, Kathleen". In McGuire, James; Quinn, James (eds.). Dictionary of Irish Biography. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- ^ "Kathleen Coyle". Culture Northern Ireland. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Contemporary Authors Online". Biography in Context. Gale. 2007. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
- ^ a b McCann, Wesley. "Kathleen Coyle (1886 - 1952): Writer". The Dictionary of Ulster Biography. Retrieved 18 July 2015.