He was a member of the clergy and writer and translator of hymns born in Clonmel, Ireland, who studied theology in the English College at Rome. He was then ordained in St. John Lateran, Rome in 1895. In 1906 he became the priest at Heckmondwicke, Yorkshire.
In 1902 he contributed works to Arundel Hymns and is known for the words for the hymn “All The Skies Tonight Sang O’er Us” and translated a version of “Angelus ad Virginem” which he renamed “Gabriel to Mary Went”.
He died in 1952 when he was 82 years old.
Sources:
- https://hymnary.org/person/OConnor_J1
- http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/all_the_skies_tonight_sang_oer_u.htm
- http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/gabriel_to_mary_went.htm