Padric Colum is an Irish poet, dramatist, folklorist and children's writer, born in Longford County under the name Patrick Colum. He was one of the founders of The Abbey Theatre in Dublin, and worked with Yeats and Lady Gregory. In 1914 he and his wife Mary left Ireland for America, soon entering New York literary circles. He has also written a series of books including a play The Land (1905), Wild Earth (1907), The King of Ireland's Son (1916) a story for children, Dramatic legends (1922), Castle Conquer (1923) (his first novel) and Irish Elegies (1958).