George Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 26th July 1856.

BERNARD SHAW

(1856-1950)

George Bernard Shaw was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 26th July 1856.

At the age of twenty one, Shaw came to live in London. His first five novels were rejected by London publishers, but became well sort after when Shaw became famous.

In his own words, Shaw said he was a writing machine. He became a famous playwright.

He wrote 65 plays and many pamphlets. His interests lay in politics, socialism, communism, humanist issues.

Bernard Shaw rejected the plea to become a full time MP. He said «all those who think they should be politicians, should not be allowed to become one».

He was an ardent vegetarian. He wrote on such subjects as Drama, Women and Feminism, Stimulants, Vivisection, Natu­ral Selection, Music, Marriage, Capital Punishment and so on.

Apart from writing, Shaw loved to speak on the radio. What the audience perceived as a joke, Shaw actually meant. He used comedy as a way of translating what he seriously thought about society and it worked.

Shaw had a great respect for woman. He spoke up for the Suffragette movement in Parliament and the prison movement. Actresses begged him to write plays for them.

Bernard Shaw was a sensitive man who looked upon poverty and social injustice in disbelief. To Shaw, all living things, human or animal were equals and should be treated with equal respect. In his world all humans (men and women; rich and poor), were equals and have the right to bring out the best in themselves, no matter what class you were born into.

Throughout Shaw’s 94 years, famous actors, presidents, prime ministers, scientists, royalty, lords and ladies etc. requested Shaw at their dinner tables. At the age of ninety four Bernard Shaw died on 2nd November 1950. It was the first time the lights on Broadway went out as a mark of respect.

Even so long after his death, Shaw’s influence is still with us.

Questions______________________________

1. When and where was Bernard Shaw born?

2. When did Shaw come to live in London?

3. How many plays did Bernard Shaw write?

4. What subjects did Shaw write on?

5. What was Shaw’s attitude towards women?

6. Who requested Shaw at their dinner tables?

7. When did Bernard Shaw die?

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