Illness and death Flannery O'Connor

andalusia farm, o connor lived 1952 1964

by summer of 1952, o connor diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), father had been before her. subsequently, returned family farm, andalusia, in milledgeville, georgia. o connor lived twelve years after diagnosis, 7 years longer expected. despite debilitating effects of steroid drugs used treat o connor s lupus, nonetheless remained active maintaining daily writing schedule , making appearances @ lectures read works.

at andalusia, raised , nurtured 100 peafowl. fascinated birds of kinds, raised ducks, ostrich, emus, toucans, , sort of exotic bird obtain, while incorporating images of peacocks books. described peacocks in essay entitled king of birds. despite secluded life, writing reveals uncanny grasp of nuances of human behavior. o connor gave many lectures on faith , literature, traveling quite far despite frail health.

o connor completed more 2 dozen short stories , 2 novels while struggling lupus. died on august 3, 1964, @ age of 39 in baldwin county hospital. death caused complications new attack of lupus following surgery fibroma. buried in milledgeville, georgia, @ memory hill cemetery.