Overview

First published in 1942, Hesketh Pearson's much lauded biography has been hailed as the standard work on George Bernard Shaw. Pearson was fortunate to have written it with the close cooperation of Shaw. Not only did Shaw check and correct all the facts, contribute and authenticate or reject anecdotes but he supplied what he referred to as 'unique private history' unavailable to others. The recorded conversations Shaw had with Pearson bring to life Shaw's vivacity, charisma and prominence. All aspects of Shaw's life are explored including his politics, personal life, letters, writings, contribution to English theatre and the famous personalities of his time.

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9781842321652

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Born in 1887 at Hawford, Worcesterhire, Hesketh Pearson was educated at Bedford Grammar School, then worked in a shipping Office and spent two years in America before beginning a career as an actor in 1911. Until 1931 he worked successfully in the theatre, which provided many insights for his subsequent writing career. Pearson's early works included 'Modern Men and Mummers' which consisted of sketches of well-known figures in the theatre, and also short stories in 'Iron Rations'. 'Doctor Darwin', a biography of Darwin which was published in 1930, was widely acclaimed and established him as one of the leading popular biographers of his day. Subsequently he concentrated on his writing full-time. However, for a period of some seven years he was in the doldrums, following an unsuccessful attempt to get the title 'Whispering Gallery' published. He nonetheless persisted, and subsequently had published several important biographies of major figures, such as Conan Doyle, Gilbert and Sullivan and George Bernard Shaw. His skill and expertise was widely recognised, such that for example he was able to gain the co-operation of Shaw, who both contributed and later wrote a critique of his biography, and the executors of Conan Doyle's estate who gave Pearson unprecedented access to private papers. Pearson was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. He died in 1964. His biographies have stood the test of time and are still regarded as definitive works on their subjects.

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