Sinclair Lewis was an American novelist, short-story writer, and playwright. He was the first American writer to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded for “vigorous and graphic art of description and the ability to create, with wit and humor, new types of characters." His works are known for their insightful and critical views of American capitalism and materialism between the wars. He is also respected for his strong characterizations of modern working women.

His Broadway produced works include Hobohemia (Greenwich Village Theatre), Jayhawker (Cort Theatre), It Can't Happen Here (Adelphi Theatre), Main Street (National Theatre), Elmer Gantry (Playhouse Theatre), Dodsworth (Shubert Theatre), Good Neighbor (Windsor Theatre), and Strangers (John Golden Theatre).

Lewis' published books include Hike and the Aeroplane, Our Mr. Wrenn: The Romantic Adventures of a Gentle Man, were followed by Main Street, Free Air, Babbitt, Mantrap, Ann Vickers, Gideon Planish, and Kingsblood Royal.