George Augustus Moore was born on February 24, 1852 in Ballyglass, County Mayo, Ireland; he was a novelist, poet, and playwright. Moore’s time in both France and Ireland greatly influenced on his personal and literary life, as did the the people he met. In Paris, Moore met the love of his life, Maud Burke, later known as Lady Cunard. The friends he made in France, including artists Emile Zola and J.E. Blanche and scholar Eduard Dujardin, had a lasting effect on Moore as well. Initially, they may have encouraged him to see beyond the strict Victorian mores of the days, but as time passed, they also became valuable commentators on his work. Moore frequently asked these friends to review his work prior to publication.

Moore always recalled Ireland with bitter-sweet feelings. Ireland provided the ground for literary associations and life-long friendships. After his father’s death in 1870, Moore inherited the family estate, which periodically drew him back to Ireland to settle difficulties regarding the upkeep of the house. From 1879 to 1881 he spent much time in Dublin and at Moore Hall; nearly two decades later, in 1898, Moore became involved with the Irish Literary Renaissance. Edward Martyn introduced him to the Irish Revival and, along with W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, invited him to join in the founding of the Irish Literary Theatre. In 1901 Moore moved to Ely Place in Dublin, where he lived for ten years before returning to London for the remainder of his life.