George Bernard Shaw

Irish writer, novelist, critic and dramatist who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925. His work included the play "Man & Superman" and the novels "Love Among The Artists" and "An Unsocial Socialist."

Shaw received a formal education until the age of 14 when he went to work as a clerk. He and his mother moved to London in 1876 and he began writing a series of five novels, 1879-1883, of which only two were published. He was known for being an advocate of socialist views, joining the Fabian Society in 1884, lecturing widely and becoming a leader. He was a music and drama critic for three publications, 1888-1898 and during this period began his writing for the theatre. Shaw gained reputation for his numerous plays, but also wrote volumes of critical and political essays, an autobiography in 1949 and volumes of letters.

Shaw, a redhead and a vegetarian, married Charlotte Payne-Townsend in 1898.

He died on 2 November 1950, Ayot St. Lawrence, England.