Maeve Brennan (1917-1993) is best known for her short stories, essays, and journalistic works. Born in Dublin, Ireland, she was the daughter of Robert Brennan, a revolutionary and later an ambassador to the United States. Her family's deep involvement in the Irish independence movement profoundly influenced her worldview and later writings.

Brennan moved to the United States in 1934 and eventually settled in New York City. She attended the prestigious Columbia University and soon became immersed in the city's literary scene. In the 1940s, Brennan began working for Harper's Bazaar and later joined The New Yorker, where she became a staff writer. Her column, The Long-Winded Lady, in which she wrote about the details and nuances of life in New York City, garnered her significant acclaim for its wit and observational precision.

As a fiction writer, Brennan was known for her incisive short stories, many of which were set in her native Ireland. Her work often explored themes of identity, displacement, and the complexities of family life. She possessed a unique ability to capture the subtleties of human relationships and the poignant realities of everyday life. Her stories, characterized by their sharp dialogue and meticulous description, are considered important contributions to the genre.

Despite her literary achievements, Brennan's life was marked by personal struggles, including mental health issues and a period of homelessness. Today, Maeve Brennan is remembered as a significant but often underappreciated figure in 20th-century literature. Her work continues to be rediscovered and celebrated for its depth, emotional resonance, and distinctive style.