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.

	Created by Demi Wilkie almost 7 years ago

GCSE English Literature (An Inspector Calls -modern text) Note on J.B Priestley - Background, created by Demi Wilkie on 04/05/2017.