Robert E. Sherwood

Robert Emmet Sherwood (4 April1896?14 November1955) American playwright, editor, and screenwriter.

Related Topics:
4 April - 1896 - 14 November - 1955 - American - Playwright - Editor - Screenwriter

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The horrors experienced on the battlefields of Europe during World War I, helped to shape this noted American writer. Born in New Rochelle, New York and educated at Harvard University, Sherwood fought with the Canadian Black Watch and was wounded. After his return to the U.S., he began working as a movie critic for such magazines as Life and Vanity Fair.

Related Topics:
Battlefields - Europe - World War I - Writer - New Rochelle, New York - Harvard University - Canadian Black Watch - Movie critic - Magazines - Life - Vanity Fair

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His first play, The Road to Rome in 1927 was greeted with success. The play was a comedy concerning Hannibal's botched invasion of Rome. One of the underlying themes of this work is the stupidity of war. This would be a recurrent motif in many of his dramatic works including his Idiot's Delight of 1936 which would win the first of his four Pulitzer Prizes.

Related Topics:
The Road to Rome - 1927 - Comedy - Hannibal's - Invasion - Rome - Themes - Motif - Idiot's Delight - 1936 - Pulitzer Prizes

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In addition to his work for the stage, Sherwood also was in demand in Hollywood. He began writing for the silver screen in 1926. While some of his work is uncredited, his films include many adaptations of his plays.

Related Topics:
Hollywood - Silver screen - 1926 - Adaptations

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With Europe in the midst of World War II, Sherwood changed his anti-war stance and supported American involvement against the Third Reich. His play of 1940, There Shall Be No Night told the story of the Russian invasion of Finland. His patriotism led him to work as a speechwriter for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He recounted this period with his book Roosevelt and Hopkins which won a Pulitzer Prize and a Bancroft Prize in 1949.

Related Topics:
World War II - Third Reich - 1940 - There Shall Be No Night - Russian - Finland - Patriotism - Speechwriter - President - Franklin D. Roosevelt - Roosevelt and Hopkins - Bancroft Prize - 1949

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He returned to playwrighting after the war and produced his memorable script for the film The Best Years of Our Lives which was directed by William Wyler. The 1946 film explores how the lives of three servicemen have been changed after they return home from war.

Related Topics:
The Best Years of Our Lives - William Wyler - 1946 - Servicemen

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Sherwood died of a heart attack in New York City in 1955.

Related Topics:
Heart attack - New York City

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