Brendan Francis Aidan Behan was an Irish poet, short story writer, novelist, playwright, and Irish Republican, born on 9 February 1923 in Dublin, Ireland. He wrote in both English and Irish and is known for his contributions to literature and his active involvement in the Irish Republican movement.

Behan was born into a staunchly republican family, which greatly influenced his early life. At the age of fourteen, he joined the IRA's youth organization, Fianna Éireann, and later became a member of the IRA. This led to his imprisonment in both the United Kingdom and Ireland. During his time in prison, Behan educated himself and became fluent in the Irish language.

His first play, The Quare Fellow, was produced in Dublin in 1954 and gained significant attention with its 1956 production in London. He achieved international success with his play The Hostage, an English-language adaptation of his earlier Irish-language play, An Giall. His autobiographical novel, Borstal Boy, became a worldwide bestseller.

Despite his fame, Behan struggled with alcohol dependence, which affected his health and work. He spent significant time in New York, where he mingled with prominent figures like Harpo Marx, Arthur Miller, and Bob Dylan. Behan's later works received less praise, and his health continued to decline, leading to his untimely death on 20 March 1964.