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Robert E. Sherwood
18quotes
Robert E. Sherwood
Full Name and Common Aliases
Robert Emmet Sherwood was a renowned American playwright, critic, screenwriter, and journalist. He is often referred to by his initials, R.E.S.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on April 4, 1896, in New Rochelle, New York, Robert E. Sherwood passed away on November 4, 1958, at the age of 62.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Sherwood was an American playwright, critic, screenwriter, and journalist, with a career spanning over four decades. His work spanned multiple genres, including drama, comedy, and historical plays.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in New Rochelle, Sherwood developed a passion for writing at a young age. He attended Yale University, where he began to hone his craft as a playwright. During World War I, Sherwood served as an ambulance driver with the American Field Service in France. His experiences during the war had a profound impact on his writing and shaped many of his future works.
Major Accomplishments
Sherwood's career was marked by numerous accolades and achievements. He won four Pulitzer Prizes for Drama: _Abe Lincoln in Illinois_ (1939), _Idiot's Delight_ (1936), _There Shall Be No Night_ (1941), and _Abe Lincoln in Illinois_ (also recognized as a "Revival" award). He also received two Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay, one for _The Norma Rae_ treatment of his play _Idiot's Delight_ (1936) and the other for co-writing the screenplay _Dr. Kildare's Crisis_ (1937).
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Sherwood's most notable works include:
Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1939): A four-act play that explores the life of Abraham Lincoln, from his early days as a young lawyer to his presidency. The play was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1940.
Idiot's Delight (1936): A drama set during World War I, exploring themes of love, war, and identity. This play earned Sherwood the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and later became a Broadway hit.
Reunion in Vienna (1939): A play that brings together two former lovers from World War I, now caught up in the tumultuous politics of 1930s Europe.
There Shall Be No Night (1941): A drama that critiques totalitarianism and fascism through a fictional account of events inspired by the Nuremberg Trials.
Impact and Legacy
Sherwood's work had a profound impact on American theater, influencing many notable playwrights and writers. His plays often tackled complex social issues, such as war, politics, and human relationships. Sherwood's commitment to exploring the complexities of human experience has left an enduring legacy in the world of drama.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Robert E. Sherwood is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful and thought-provoking works that continue to captivate audiences today. His ability to craft compelling stories that explored the human condition made him a master playwright, screenwriter, and journalist.
Quotes by Robert E. Sherwood
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He must be independent and brave, and sure of himself and of the importance of his work, because if he isn’t he will never survive the scorching blasts of derision that will probably greet his first efforts.
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Poor, dear God. Playing Idiot’s Delight. The game that never means anything, and never ends.
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The trouble with me is, I belong to a vanishing race. I’m one of the intellectuals.
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I remember when I was younger, there was a well-known writer who used to dart down the back way whenever saw me coming. I suppose he was in love with me and wasn’t quite sure of himself. Well, c’est la vie!
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We all come from our own little planets. That’s why we’re all different. That’s what makes life interesting.
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That’s the whole story of my life: frustration. It’s a chronic disease, and it’s incurable.
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All Coolidge had to do in 1924 was to keep his mean trap shut, to be elected. All Harding had to do in 1920 was repeat Avoid foreign entanglements. All Hoover had to do in 1928 was to endorse Coolidge. All Roosevelt had to do in 1932 was to point to Hoover.
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I remember when I was younger, there was a well-known writer who used to dart down the back way whenever saw me coming. I suppose he was in love with me and wasn't quite sure of himself. Well, c'est la vie!
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To be able to write a play a man must be sensitive, imaginative, naive, gullible, passionate; he must be something of an imbecile, something of a poet, something of a liar, something of a damn fool.
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