Conor Cruise O'Brien

An acclaimed author, public intellectual, international statesman, and former government minister in Ireland

Vice-chancellor of the University of Ghana, Schweitzer Professor of the Humanities at New York University, and editor-in-chief of the Observer in London

1917 - Born in November 3

1956-1961 - Member of the Irish delegation to the United Nations

1969 general election was elected to Dáil Éireann as a member of the Labour Party, representing the Dublin North East constituency together with three other TDs, including Charles Haughey.

1972 - wrote the book States of Ireland

1974 - Served as a diplomat under the pro-physical force republican, Seán MacBride, the Nobel Peace Laureate

1980 - Defied the boycott against South Africa and championed the Israelis against the Palestinians.

Books written:

1992 - The Great Melody

1998 -   Memoir: My Life and Themes

1986 -  Cunning and Passion

1989 - The Siege