Arthur Miller (1915-2005) was an acclaimed American playwright and essayist, renowned for his powerful works such as “Death of a Salesman” and “The Crucible.” His plays often explore social issues and personal integrity.
Biography
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Arthur Asher Miller |
| Birth Date | October 17, 1915 |
| Death Date | February 10, 2005 |
| Profession | Playwright, Essayist, Screenwriter |
| Notable Works |
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| Awards |
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| Significant Life Events |
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Early Life
Arthur Miller was born on October 17, 1915, in Harlem, New York City, to a family of Polish-Jewish descent. Raised during the Great Depression, Miller experienced the financial instability that would later influence much of his work. His father, Isidore, owned a successful women’s clothing manufacturing business, while his mother, Augusta, was an educator and a devoted homemaker. The family lived in relative affluence until the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which led to their financial downfall. As a result, they moved to Brooklyn, where Miller attended high school. These early experiences in New York, coupled with the economic hardships faced by his family, played a significant role in shaping his perspectives and themes in his future writings.
Family
| Name | Relation | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Isidore Miller | Father | Isidore Miller was a manufacturer of women’s coats and a significant figure in Arthur’s life, greatly influencing his views on business and society. |
| Augusta Barnett Miller | Mother | Augusta Barnett Miller was a schoolteacher and a homemaker who provided a nurturing and educational environment for her children. |
| Kermit Miller | Brother | Kermit Miller was Arthur Miller’s older brother who also pursued a career in the arts, working as a writer and a producer. |
| Joan Copeland | Sister | Joan Copeland, born as Joan Miller, is Arthur Miller’s younger sister who became a successful actress, known for her work on stage and television. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Chest Size | Unknown |
| Waist Size | Unknown |
| Hip Size | Unknown |
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Current Relationship Status
Arthur Miller is not currently married. He passed away on February 10, 2005. His last marriage was to Inge Morath, a well-known photographer, until her death in 2002.
Previous Relationships
| Name | Role | Marriage Date | Divorce Date | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Slattery | Wife | 1940 | 1956 | She was Arthur Miller’s college sweetheart. |
| Marilyn Monroe | Wife | 1956 | 1961 | Monroe was a famous actress and their marriage attracted significant media attention. |
| Inge Morath | Wife | 1962 | 2002 | Morath was a distinguished photographer and they remained married until her death. |
Additional Information
Arthur Miller’s relationships were often in the public eye, especially his marriage to Marilyn Monroe. His work and personal life were deeply intertwined, and his marriages had a significant impact on his writing. His final marriage to Inge Morath was a stable and lasting union that lasted until her passing.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Arthur Miller became famous through his influential and critically acclaimed plays that delved into the American experience and the human condition. His breakthrough came with the play “All My Sons” in 1947, which won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and established him as a prominent playwright.
Miller’s career began in earnest in the 1940s. He wrote several plays before achieving fame, but his major success came with:
- “All My Sons” (1947) – A critical look at the moral struggles of a businessman during World War II.
- “Death of a Salesman” (1949) – Perhaps his most famous work, this play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and is a poignant critique of the American Dream.
- “The Crucible” (1953) – A powerful allegory about McCarthyism, set during the Salem witch trials.
- “A View from the Bridge” (1955) – A tragedy focusing on the lives of Italian-American immigrants in New York.
Arthur Miller received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including:
- Pulitzer Prize for Drama for “Death of a Salesman” (1949)
- New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for “All My Sons” and “Death of a Salesman”
- Tony Awards for Best Author for “Death of a Salesman” and Best Play for “The Crucible”
- John F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award
- National Medal of Arts (1993)
Arthur Miller’s career was not without controversy:
- During the Red Scare, Miller was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1956. He refused to name suspected communists, which led to him being convicted of contempt of Congress. The conviction was later overturned.
- His marriage to Marilyn Monroe in 1956 attracted intense media scrutiny. Their relationship and subsequent divorce in 1961 were highly publicized.
- “The Crucible” itself was controversial for its bold allegory of McCarthyism, leading to heated debates about its themes and implications during the 1950s.
Faq
- Death of a Salesman (1949)
- The Crucible (1953)
- A View from the Bridge (1955)
- All My Sons (1947)
- After the Fall (1964)
