A Survey of Irish Writers in The New Yorker, 1940-1980

<p>This dataset provides a survey of Irish writers publishing in <i>The New Yorker</i> magazine from 1940 to 1980.</p>

<b>Methodology</b>
<p>I conduct the survey through archival research and secondary references. The primary sources are <i>The New Yorker</i>'s digital archive and the <i>New Yorker</i> Records housed in the New York Public Library.</p>

<b>Parameters</b>
<p>The timeframe of the survey concerns <i>The New Yorker</i>’s international expansion in the middle decades of the twentieth century. It starts from 1940 and ends in 1980, when the magazine industry’s cultural impact was eclipsed by the popularity of TV. </p>

<p>For the purpose of the project, I focus on "fiction" contributions. Verse and shorter writings (such as column pieces and book reviews) are not included. Therefore, Maeve Brennan's shorter pieces under her alias "the long-winded lady" and Patricia Collinge's shorter contributions are not included in the quantatative survey. </p>

<p>This survey includes both Irish and Irish-American writers. One key criterium of the selection is the writer’s connection with Ireland and Irish culture. Irish-American writers whose works are more concerned about (Irish-)America rather than Ireland itself are excluded from the survey. Therefore, Elizabeth Cullinan and J.P. Donleavy are included, while John O’Hara and Mary McCarthy are not. </p>

<b>Notes for Users</b>
<p>The list is presented in the chronological order of the contributions’ appearance in the magazine. The date format follows the international convention (ISO8601), thus: year/month/day. The date refers to the publication of <i>The New Yorker</i> issues.</p>

<p><i>The New Yorker</i> is a weekly, and the timeframe of the project spans four decades. This means that there are thousands of back issues under examination. I acknowledge the possibility that there are Irish writers whose contributions in the magazine escaped my attention. If there is any omission, I would appreciate the user’s input to update the survey. </p>

<p>It is hoped that this survey will help researchers investigate the Irish connections with one of America’s most influential publications. Teachers, students, and the general public may also use this list as a guide to better appreciate these fascinating Irish stories. </p>