Con Leventhal facts for kids

A.J. Con Leventhal (born May 9, 1896 – died October 3, 1979) was an important Irish writer and teacher. He was known for his essays and for sharing his ideas about books and art. He also worked as a critic, which means he wrote reviews and opinions about creative works.

Con Leventhal's Early Life and School

Con Leventhal was born Abraham Jacob Leventhal in Dublin, Ireland, on May 9, 1896. His family lived in an area of Dublin sometimes called "Little Jerusalem." This was because many Jewish families lived there.

His Family and Education

Con's parents were Rosa and Moses Leventhal. His father worked in fabrics, and his mother was a poet. She was also a founding member of the Women's Zionist Society. This group supported the idea of a Jewish homeland.

Con went to Wesley College in Dublin. After that, he studied modern languages at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). While at TCD, he became the editor of the student magazine in 1918. It was at college that he got his nickname, "Con." It was a playful reference to his father's job as a "Continental" agent.

Travels and Early Work

After World War I, Con joined the first Zionist commission. He traveled to Palestine and helped start a newspaper called Palestine Weekly. Later, he worked for the Jewish National Fund in London. There, he helped with the Zionist Review magazine.

In 1920, he returned to Dublin to finish his degree. The next year, in 1921, he went to Paris. In Paris, he met the famous Irish writer James Joyce.

Starting Businesses

In October 1922, Con Leventhal married Gertrude Zlotover. For a while, he worked with his father-in-law in a furniture business. After that, he tried to start several of his own businesses. One of these was the Irish Book Shop on Dawson Street from 1924 to 1925. These businesses were not very successful.

His experiences with business might have given him an idea. He suggested creating the TCD Students Appointment Association. This group would help students learn useful business skills. Trinity College Dublin liked his idea and hired him as its first administrator.

Con Leventhal's Career and Writings

Con Leventhal earned a PhD in modern French literature. In 1932, he joined the French department at Trinity College Dublin. He took over from his friend, the famous writer Samuel Beckett.

Working at Trinity College Dublin

While at TCD, Con was an assistant editor for the journal Hermathena. He also shared his own translations of French poetry in the journal.

Con was involved in many new and exciting cultural groups in Dublin during the 1920s and 1930s. He often attended meetings that promoted Jewish culture. He also gave talks about James Joyce to these groups.

His Own Magazines

Because of his interest in James Joyce, Con became friends with Seumas O'Sullivan. He also worked with The Dublin Magazine. In 1923, the printers refused to print his review of Joyce's book Ulysses. This was because of censorship. In response, Con decided to start his own magazine called The Klaxon. Only one issue of The Klaxon was ever published. It included a shorter version of his review, using the pen name "Lawrence K. Emery." He also worked with Francis Stuart's Tomorrow magazine.

Drama and Other Writings

Con Leventhal was also interested in plays and theater. He was a member of the Dublin Drama League, an experimental theater group. He sometimes performed with them. He was close friends with people like Madam Bannard Cogley, Micheál Mac Liammóir, and Lennox Robinson.

From 1943 to 1958, his column "Dramatic commentary" appeared in The Dublin Magazine. He also wrote for many other newspapers and magazines. These included The Irish Times, The Irish Press, The Listener, Westminster Weekly, Financial Times, and International Herald Tribune. He was also a regular guest on radio shows for Radio Éireann and the BBC.

Later Life and Legacy

Con Leventhal retired from Trinity College Dublin in 1963. He then moved to Paris, France. There, he became the literary assistant for his friend, Samuel Beckett.

Con Leventhal passed away from cancer in Paris in 1979. Two known portraits of him exist, one by John Russell (1920) and another by Avigdor Arikha. To honor his memory, the Leventhal Scholarship was created at Trinity College Dublin. Important papers about Con Leventhal are kept at TCD and the Harry Ransom Center.]