Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Molloy, Joseph Fitzgerald
MOLLOY, JOSEPH FITZGERALD (1858–1908), miscellaneous writer, born in New Ross, co. Wexford, on 19 March 1858, was son of Pierce Molloy and his wife Catherine Byrne, and reoeived hie early education at St. Kieran's Collie, Kilkenny. Originally intended for the ministry of the Roman catholic church, he devoted himself to literature and music, and acted for a time as organist of the Augustinian friary church, New Ross. When twenty years old he decided on a literary career, and, armed with letters of introduction to Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hall, he went to London in the winter of 1878. Both Mr. and Mrs. S.C. Hall proved staunch friends, and he was at once employed on the 'Art Journal,' which Hall edited. Sir Charles Gavan Duffy [q. v. Suppl. II], who had been M.P. for New Ross in 1853, also proved a friend, and engaged him as his private secretary, subsequently obtaining for him a clerkship in the London office of the agent-general for New Zealand.
Molloy was a fertile writer, and won popularity as a biographical and historical compiler. His first work was 'Songs of Passion and Pain' (under the pseudonym of 'Ernest Wilding') (1881). There followed 'Court Life below Stairs, or London under the First Georges' (2 vols. 1882), which was well received and reached a edition in 1885. A sequel, 'London under the Last Georges' (2 vols.), appeared in 1883. 'Life and Adventures of Peg Woffington' (2 vols. 1884); 'Royalty Restored, or London under Charles II' (2 vols. 1885); 'Famous Plays' (1886), and 'The Life and Adventures of Edmund Kean' (2 vols. 1888), were works of like calibre. His 'Romance of the Irish Stage' (2 vols. 1897) had a very large sale. Molloy also published serially many novels in leading London and Liverpool papers, as well as in ' Temple Bar,' 'English Illustrated Magazine,' 'Graphic,' and 'Illustrated London News.' Among his separately published novels were: 'Merely Players' (3 vols. 1881); 'It is no Wonder' (2 vols. 1881); 'What hast thou done?' (1883); 'That Villain Romeo' (1886); 'A Modern Magician' (3 vols. 1887); 'An Excellent Knave' (1893); 'His Wife's Soul' (1893; 2nd edit, with the title, 'Sweet is Revenge,' 1895), and 'A Justified Sinner' (1897).
Molloy travelled much on the continent of Europe in search of health, which was never robust, journeying through France, Spain, Belgium, Italy, and Algiers. Despite failing strength he was engaged shortly before his death on 'Victoria Regina,' published posthumously in two volumes. He died unmarried at his residence, 20 Norland Square, Notting Hill, W., on 19 March 1908, and was buried at St. Mary's cemetery, Kensal Green.
Besides the works mentioned above, Molloy wrote: 1. 'The Faiths of the Peoples,' 2 vols. 1892. 2. 'The Most Gorgeous Lady Blessington,' 2 vols. 1896. 3. 'Historical and Biographical Studies,' 1897. 4. 'The Queen's Comrade: the Life and Times of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough,' 2 vols. 1901. 5. 'The Sailor King: William IV, his Court and his Subjects,' 2 vols. 1903. 6. 'Romance of Royalty,' 2 vols. 1904. 7. 'The Russian Court in the Eighteenth Century,' 1905. 8. 'Sir Joshua and his Circle,' 2 vols. 1906. Molloy also edited, with introduction and notes, the 'Memoirs of Mary Robinson' in 1895.
[Private information from his sister, Miss K. Molloy; Freeman's Journal and Irish Times, 20 March 1908; personal knowledge.]