Date of Birth: February 27, 1913
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: May 16, 1984
Biography
Irwin Shaw was a renowned American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist, celebrated for his insightful and compelling narratives that often explored complex social and moral issues. Born Irwin Gilbert Shamforoff in the Bronx, New York City, Shaw moved with his family to Brooklyn at a young age. He graduated from Brooklyn College in 1934 and quickly made a name for himself in the literary world with his plays, short stories, and novels. Shaw served in the U.S. Army during World War II, an experience that deeply influenced his writing, particularly his novel “The Young Lions” (1948), which provided a nuanced portrait of soldiers. His other notable works include “Rich Man, Poor Man” (1970) and its sequel, “Beggarman, Thief” (1977). Shaw’s work was marked by its keen observations of human nature and society, and he received numerous awards throughout his career, including the National Institute of Arts and Letters Award.
5 Interesting Facts about Irwin Shaw
1. Irwin Shaw’s first major success was his play “Bury the Dead” (1936), which dealt with soldiers refusing to be buried during a war.
2. “The Young Lions” was adapted into a successful film in 1958, starring Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, and Dean Martin.
3. Shaw wrote over a dozen screenplays, including the script for “The Big Gamble” (1961).
4. His novel “Rich Man, Poor Man” was adapted into a highly successful television miniseries in 1976, which helped to popularize the format.
5. Shaw was an accomplished short story writer, with many of his stories appearing in The New Yorker and other prestigious publications.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Irwin Shaw
1. “An absolutely necessary part of a writer’s equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the physical punishment of long hours and the mental punishment of doubt and failure.”
2. “There are too many books I haven’t read, too many places I haven’t seen, too many memories I haven’t kept long enough.”
3. “To write is to make oneself the echo of what cannot cease speaking—and, since it cannot cease speaking, it cannot be said.”
4. “Posterity makes the judgments. There are going to be a lot of surprises in store for everybody.”
5. “A good editor understands what you’re talking and writing about and doesn’t meddle too much.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Irwin Shaw’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Irwin Shaw had one son, Adam Shaw, who followed in his father’s footsteps to become a writer and filmmaker.
Relevant Links
1. [Irwin Shaw – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwin_Shaw
2. [Irwin Shaw – Encyclopedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Irwin-Shaw
3. [The New Yorker – Irwin Shaw](https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/irwin-shaw
4. [IMDb – Irwin Shaw](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0789888/
