Robert Sherwood American playwright, journalist, historian. Date of Birth: 04.04.1896 Country: USA

Biography of Robert Emmet Sherwood

Robert Emmet Sherwood was an American playwright, journalist, and historian. He was born on April 4, 1896, in New Rochelle, New York. Sherwood's education at Harvard University was interrupted by his service in the Canadian Armed Forces during World War I.

After the war, Sherwood worked for magazines such as Vanity Fair, Life, and The New York Herald. His first major success came with the production of his play "The Road to Rome" in 1927. The play's unusual theme, combined with Sherwood's ability to present serious ideas in a light and even comedic manner, contributed to its success.

In 1928, Sherwood achieved success with his play "Queen Husband," which tackled an unconventional topic. In "This Is New York" (1929), he depicted the corruption during the era of the "dry law." "Reunion in Vienna" (1931) was a comedy inspired by the Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár.

"The Petrified Forest" (1935) depicted an intellectual who had lost faith in society and fought against gangsters on his own. In the play "Idiot's Delight" (1936), which won the Pulitzer Prize, Sherwood targeted the war profiteers and warmongers. His historical chronicle "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" (1938) also earned him a Pulitzer Prize.

Following Russia's attack on Finland, Sherwood's play "There Shall Be No Night" (1940), which also received a Pulitzer Prize, called for retaliatory actions against the aggressor countries. With the onset of World War II, Sherwood led the overseas service of the Office of War Information, in which he played an active role in its creation.

Having gained access to the archives of Harry Hopkins (1890–1946), Sherwood wrote what may be considered his most important book, "Roosevelt and Hopkins: An Intimate History" (1948), for which he received his fourth Pulitzer Prize.

Sherwood was also the author of the musical "Miss Liberty" (1949) and several screenplays. He passed away in New York on November 14, 1955.