George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), known at his insistence simply as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist, and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 1880s to his death and beyond. In 1901, Max Beerbohm wrote of Bernard Shaw "As a personality he is immortal." Bernard Shaw worked with renowned English actor, director and author Hesketh Pearson in the writing of this great biography, which was first published in 1942. Drawing on Shaw's recorded conversations, the book comes alive with the gaiety and magnetism of this great man. His harsh writings as a music critic. His writings to Ellen Terry. His discussions with Sydney and Beatrice Webb. His long preoccupation with death—and, of course, his revolutionary contribution to English theatre. All the many facets of Shaw's character are drawn on in this fascinating biography. Shaw's own words are used as often as possible, not only to explain his thoughts, but also to show the lucid succinct way in which he expressed them. "From its pages G.B.S. emerges as large as life and, if possible, twice as natural."—Professor C. E. M. Joad