George Bernard Shaw

Born:

26 July 1856, Dublin, Ireland

Died:

2 November 1950, Ayot St Lawrence, Hertfordshire, England

Nationality:

Irish

Profession(s):

Playwright, Critic, Polemicist, Political Activist

Early Life and Education

• Born into a Protestant middle-class family in Dublin.
• Received limited formal education, primarily at the Dublin English Scientific and Commercial Day School.
• Largely self-educated through extensive reading and visits to the National Gallery of Ireland.
• Worked as a clerk in a land agency before moving to London.

Career and Major Achievements

• Began his career as a novelist and journalist.
• Became a prominent music and theatre critic, writing for publications such as The Star and The Saturday Review.
• Helped popularize Henrik Ibsen's plays in England.
• A leading figure in the Fabian Society, advocating for socialist reform.
• Won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925 "for his work which is marked by both idealism and humanity, its stimulating satire often infused with a singular poetic beauty."
• Refused the award money, stating he did not desire public honours.
• Won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Pygmalion (1938).

Notable Works

• Man and Superman (1903)
• Pygmalion (1912)
• Major Barbara (1905)
• Saint Joan (1923)
• Arms and the Man (1894)
• Mrs. Warren's Profession (1893)
• The Doctor's Dilemma (1906)

Legacy and Impact

George Bernard Shaw remains one of the most influential playwrights of the 20th century. His works, characterized by wit, intellectual rigor, and social commentary, continue to be performed and studied worldwide. A comprehensive overview of his life and works can be found on resources similar to a 'bernard shaw wiki', offering detailed insights into his enduring contribution to literature and social thought.

Notable Film Adaptations

Related links