Mary Eva Kelly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Eva Kelly
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| Born | 1826 |
| Died | 1910 (aged 83–84) |
| Resting place | Toowong Cemetery |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Genre | Poetry |
Mary Eva Kelly (1826–1910) was an important Irish-Australian poet and writer. Many people knew her by her famous nickname, "Eva" of "the Nation". She wrote many poems and articles that were loved by her readers.
Contents
Life and Early Writings
Mary Eva Kelly was born in 1826 in Headford, a town in County Galway, Ireland. She received her education at home with her family members. Her very first poems were actually translations of works by other writers. One of these was a poem called Dying Christian by a French poet named Alphonse de Lamartine.
Becoming "Eva"
Mary Eva Kelly became very well-known for her writings in a famous Irish newspaper called The Nation. Her first poem published there was "The Banshee". At first, she used her real name. But later, she started using the pen name Eva. This began with her poem "Lament for Davis".
She didn't just write poems. She also wrote essays and ballads for the newspaper. Mary Eva Kelly was one of the three most famous women writers for The Nation. People called them "the Three Graces" because they were so talented. During this time, she also worked with another writer named Olivia Knight. Olivia was known as "Thomasine of the Nation".
Meeting Kevin O'Doherty
In 1848, Mary Eva Kelly met Kevin Izod O'Doherty. At the time, he was in prison because of his strong political beliefs. They fell in love and later married in 1855 in Kingstown, Ireland.
After their marriage, Kevin O'Doherty worked as a successful doctor in Dublin. In 1862, they decided to move to Brisbane, Australia. There, Kevin became a very well-known and respected doctor.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1885, Mary and Kevin returned to England. Kevin was even elected as a Member of Parliament (M.P.) for North Meath. However, they moved back to Brisbane in 1886.
Mary Eva O'Doherty passed away in Rosalie, Brisbane on May 21, 1910. She was buried in Toowong Cemetery. Her life and her writings left an important mark on Irish and Australian literature.
Images for kids
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Mary Eva O'Doherty (née Kelly) in old age
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The grave of Kevin and Mary O'Doherty at Brisbane's Toowong Cemetery
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A monument dedicated to Kevin Izod O'Doherty
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Another view of the O'Doherty monument
