Charles Kickham was born in Mullinhone,Co.Tippperary in 1828. His most popular novel was KNOCKNAGOW OR THE HOMES OF TIPPERARY. He was also a newspaper writer. He became involved in the Fenian Movement (Irish Nationalist) and was arrested with John O'Leary and sentenced to fourteen years in prison. His health never recovered from his time in prison and he died in Dublin in 1882