J.B. Priestly
Life: The play “Mother’s Day” is written by J.B. Priestley. His full name is John Boynton Priestley. He was born on 13th Sept. 1894 at Manningham, Bradford, U.K, and died on 14th Aug. 1984 at Stratford-up-on-Avon, U.K. In 1914 he volunteered for the British army.
Parents & Spouse: Jonathan Priestley was his father who was a master. His mother Emma who was a mill girl died in 1896 when he was only two years old. He was brought up by stepmother Amy who was very human. He married Emily in 1921 that was a Bradford Librarian but died with cancer. He married second time with Jane Wyndham- Lewis.
Education: He gets his early education at the Bradford School. During World War-I, his education carrier was interrupted. At the end of the World War, he matriculated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. After graduation, he started writing for local periodicals.
Work and Job: He left school at the age of 16 years. He started to work as a clerk at the Wool firm Helm and Co. He had too much interest in writing. He worked hard to write articles in both national as well as international newspapers. He was writing to a regular unpaid column in a local Periodical, “Bradford Pioneer”. His writing was the main influence of Yorkshire. He was a founding member of “The campaign for Nuclear Disarmament”. During World War II he worked with BBC, as a broadcaster.
Literary Contribution: He was working hard to become a writer. He achieved his aim with the publication of his novels “The Good Companions” and “Angel Pavement”. In “Margin Released” he wrote about his war experiences. He becomes famous with his travelogue “English Journey” as a social reporter. In his work “Literature and Western Man” he surveys the Western Civilization from the 15th Century. His important novel is “Adam Moonshine” “Benighted”, “Faraway”, “They Walk in the City”. Also, he achieved his popularity with his plays “Dangerous Corner” and “When We Are Married”.
Honors and Prizes: He rejected the offer of a knighthood ad peerage. He was honored with Freedom of the City of Bradford and Order of Merit. At Bradford University the library was named on his name. To honor him his statue was unveiled in Bradford.
