Boston's Connolly was Olympic Games pioneer, author

Boston's Connolly: Olympic Games Pioneer and Author

James Brendan Connolly, son of immigrants from the Aran Islands, became the first Olympic champion in over 1,500 years in 1896.

Connolly was a multifaceted individual: a war veteran, journalist, and author of over 25 novels and 200 short stories.

“If I were to pick one man for my sons to pattern their lives after I would choose Jim Connolly,”

said his close friend, President Theodore Roosevelt.

Connolly was born in South Boston, one of 12 children, to a fisherman father and a mother who translated Gaelic poetry and raised the children.

He recalled his childhood area in South Boston as being obsessed with athletics.

Author's summary: James Brendan Connolly was a pioneer athlete and author.

Irish Echo — 2025-11-04