George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright, essayist, novelist, and short story writer. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, his main talent was for drama and he wrote more than sixty plays. Nearly all his writings address prevailing social problems, but have a vein of comedy which makes their stark themes more palatable. Issues which engaged Shaw's attention include education, marriage, religion, government, health care, and class privilege.

Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature and an Oscar for his contributions to literature and for his work on the film Pygmalion, an adaptation of his play of the same name.

Notable Broadway works include My Fair Lady (Mark Hellinger Theatre), Man and Superman (Hudson Theatre), Heartbreak House, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, and Saint Joan (Garrick Theatre), Pygmalion (Park Theatre), Candida (Princess Theatre), The Chocolate Soldier (Casino Theatre), and Arms and the Man (Herald Square Theatre).