Irwin Shaw

Irwin Shaw was an accomplished American author, born as Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff in the South Bronx, New York City, to Russian Jewish immigrants. He changed his surname upon entering college. Shaw spent most of his youth in Brooklyn, where he graduated from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1934. He began his writing career in 1935, scripting for several radio shows, and wrote his first play, 'Bury the Dead' in 1936. This expressionist drama about soldiers killed in battle who refuse to be buried became an anti-war classic.

Shaw is best known for his novels, 'The Young Lions' (1948) and 'Rich Man Poor Man' (1970). 'The Young Lions', his first novel, was based on his experiences in Europe during World War II and was very successful, being adapted into a 1958 film. 'Rich Man Poor Man', a novel about two brothers with different destinies, was adapted into a highly successful ABC television miniseries in 1976. Shaw's written works have sold more than 14 million copies.

Shaw served with an Army documentary film unit during World War II. After the war, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a warrant officer. However, he was falsely accused of being a communist by the Red Channels publication and was placed on the Hollywood blacklist by the movie studio bosses. This accusation led to Shaw leaving the United States and living in Europe for 25 years, mostly in Paris and Switzerland. Despite the blacklist, Shaw continued to write successful screenplays and novels during his time in Europe. He returned to the United States in the 1970s and continued to write bestselling books until his death in Davos, Switzerland on May 16, 1984, aged 71, after undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

Shaw was a prolific writer, producing more than a dozen screenplays, two works of nonfiction, dozens of short stories, and twelve novels. He won two O. Henry awards for his short stories. His written works have had a significant impact on American literature and culture. Shaw's ability to write about complex social issues, such as war and class struggle, with nuance and depth has made him a beloved and respected author. His works continue to be read and studied by scholars and general readers alike.