John Banim (3 April 1798 – 30 August 1842), was an Irish novelist, short story writer, dramatist, poet and essayist, sometimes called the "Scott of Ireland." He also studied art, working as a painter of miniatures and portraits, and as a drawing teacher, before dedicating himself to literature.
Early life
John Banim was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. His father was a farmer and shopkeeper. At age four, his parents sent him to a local dame schools where he learned the basics of reading and grammar. At age five, Banim was sent to the English Academy at Kilkenny where his older brother Michael (1796–1874) was a student. This school is described in Michael Banim's novel Father Connell. It is believed to have been situated in Rothe House. After five years at the English Academy, John Banim was sent to a seminary run by a Reverent Magrath, considered to be the finest Roman Catholic school in Ireland. After a year at the seminary, Banim transferred to another academy run by a teacher named Terence Doyle.
Throughout his school years, Banim read avidly and wrote his own stories and poems. As a boy, he invented a birthday tradition where he would gather all of his writings from the previous year, re-read them critically, and then burn the ones he found lacking. When he was ten, Banim visited the poet Thomas Moore, bringing along some of his own poetry in manuscript. Moore encouraged Banim to continue writing and gave him a season ticket to his private theatre in Kilkenny, where Moore himself was performing at the time.
At age 13, Banim entered Kilkenny College, where he devoted himself specially to drawing and miniature painting. He pursued his artistic education for two years in the schools of the Royal Dublin Society, and afterwards taught drawing in Kilkenny. The 18-year-old Banim soon fell in love with one of his pupils, a 17-year-old girl named Anne. However, the girl's parents disapproved of their relationship and sent her out of town. Anne died two months later of tuberculosis. Her death made a deep impression on Banim, who himself contracted spinal tuberculosis.
Career
Dublin
After about a year and a half of recovery and lack of direction, Banim started painting portraits and started contributing stories to the Leinster Gazette. He soon became the paper's editor.
In 1820, Banim moved to Dublin after deciding to pursue his writing. In Dublin, he connected with an old student friend, the artist Thomas J. Mulvaney, who aided and advised him. At this time, the Dublin artists where trying to obtain a Charter of Incorporation and a government grant. Banim had been contributing to several Dublin newspapers and used his position to help strengthen the artists's claim. In 1820, the artists were granted their charter, and they gave an address and a considerable sum of money to Banim for his support. Much of Banim's money went to paying off his debts.
Banim became friends with the writer Charles Phillips, who helped Banim with his writing. Banim had thought of going to London, but Phillips convinced him to stay in Dublin. Phillips advised Banim on his poetry and showed his early poem Ossian's Paradise to several publishers; it was published in 1821 as The Celt's Paradise.
While still in manuscript, the poem had been shown to Sir Walter Scott, who enjoyed reading it. After the publication of The Celt's Paradise, Banim focused on writing a classical tragedy. Banim's play Damon and Pythias was performed at Covent Garden on 28 May 1821, with William Macready as "Damon" and Charles Kemble as "Pythias". It was later performed at the Theatre Royal, Dublin.
In 1821, Banim visited Kilkenny to pay the last of his debts. During his visit he discussed his future plans for novels and stories with his brother Michael. While in Kilkenny, he lodged in the home of a close friend of his father, a man named John Ruth. He spent his days in the company of his brother and of John Ruth's three daughters. In a few weeks, Banim fell in love with the youngest daughter, Ellen Ruth. Before asking her to marry him, Banim returned to Dublin to take care of his affairs. He returned to Kilkenny in February 1822, and, after a courtship of five months, he and Ellen were married.
In 1822, he planned, in conjunction with Michael, a series of tales illustrative of Irish life, which should be for Ireland what the Waverley Novels were for Scotland; the influence of his model is distinctly traceable in his writings. Another influence were the tales of everyday life by John Galt.
