Kirby O’Donnell

Kirby O’Donnell is a fictional character created by American author Robert E. Howard. He is an American treasure hunter who operates in early-twentieth century Afghanistan disguised as a Kurdish merchant named “Ali el Ghazi.” O’Donnell appears in three stories written by Howard, two of which were published during his lifetime. The stories featuring Kirby O’Donnell are noted for their blend of historical adventure, action, and intrigue.

In the stories, O’Donnell is described as a man of lithe but powerful physique, with black hair and blue eyes, and relying more on agility and wits than strength. He carries a set of distinctive weapons, including a scimitar with a bronze hawk-head on the pommel and a “kindhjal.” O’Donnell’s pursuit of hidden treasures sets him apart from other Howard characters, such as El Borak, who are more concerned with maintaining justice and stability in Afghanistan.

The first Kirby O’Donnell story, “Swords of Shahrazar” (later retitled “The Treasure of Shaibar Khan”), was published in the pulp magazine Top-Notch in October 1934. In this story, O’Donnell is seeking the treasure of Shaibar Khan, the Uzbek ruler of the forbidden city of Shahrazar. The sequel to this story, “The Treasure of Tartary” (originally titled “Gold From Tartary”), was published in the pulp magazine Thrilling Adventures in January 1935. In this story, O’Donnell is searching the forbidden city of Shahrazar for the lost treasure of Khuwarezm, which was hidden to protect it from Genghis Khan.

The third Kirby O’Donnell story, “The Curse of the Crimson God” (originally titled “The Trail of the Bloodstained God”), was not published during Howard’s lifetime. It was later discovered among Howard’s papers and posthumously edited by L. Sprague de Camp. The story features O’Donnell in pursuit of thieves who have stolen from him a treasure map that points the way to the precious idol called The Bloodstained God.

In Howard’s stories, O’Donnell is a fascinating character who operates in a complex and dangerous world. His adventures take him to exotic locations, where he battles treacherous enemies and overcomes impossible obstacles. Despite the limited number of stories featuring Kirby O’Donnell, the character has continued to capture the imagination of readers and inspire other writers in the decades since Howard’s death.