J.B Priestley - Background

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J.B Priestly:

-John Boynton Priestly

-D.O.B: 1894

-D.O.D:1984

Significant to the play that he lived through both WW1and WW2

English playwright, novelist and broadcaster (most prolifically a novelist)

Known mostly for his plays

Born in Burnley and industrial city, links to Brumley (in the play) as the criticism of Brumley are also made about Burnley

Father was a head master

Mother died when he was two years old

Had a middle class up bringing

Went to a grammar school, posh and academic but left school at 16

Knew he wanted to be a writer and found he wanted to experience life so he would have something to write about

Got a job at a wall firm as a junior clark

Started writing short pieces for the Bradford pioneers (a local newspaper)

Served in WW1, joined the army in 1915 and did 5 years of service, these years were really important to him as they made him the person he was (seen in the play, a lot of criticism of WW1)

Hated the way him and other soldiers were treated by higher officers (evident in the play by class distinction)

Officers mostly upper class men who felt they were better than working class

Later went to Cambridge University

Did a degree in two years

Become famous as a writer (political writer)

Married his sweetheart

Established himself in London as a freelances writer

Did different types of writings (essays, reviews,biography...)

Know for his political views

During the 1930s became very concerned about the social inequalities in Britain, felt the upper class got rich by other peoples hard work

In 1942 he set up the commonwealth party, that argued for public ownership of land which created democracy and a new moral in politics

Labour party became the party in power in 1945

Priestly believed in equality and he believed that further wars could only be avoid through cooperation and mutual respect between countries

Had regular radio show during WW2 but was canceled as it was considered to left winged

Felt everyone should look after each other

Felt that WW2 could break the distinction between classes due to things such as the evacuation

Was a socialist- had progressive beliefs as they look at the future and aim to support those who cannot support themselves and idealist. Believed in equality and taxation to help support the poor.