J.B.'s Fans (10)

J.B. Priestley

Author profile

born

September 13, 1894 in Bradford, The United Kingdom

died

August 14, 1984

gender

male

website

http://www.jbpriestley.co.uk/

genre

Literature & Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers, Politics

About this author

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John Boynton Priestley was born in Bradford in 1894. On the outbreak of the First World War Priestley immediately joined the British Army. He was sent to France and in September 1915 took part in the Battle of Loos. After being wounded in 1917 Priestley sent back to England for six months. Soon after returning to the Western Front he endured a German gas attack. Treated at Rouen he was classified by the Medical Board as unfit for active service and was transferred to the Entertainers Section of the British Army.

When Priestley left the army he became a student at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. At university Priestley he gained valuable experience by writing for the Cambridge Review. After completing a degree in Modern History and Political Scienc...more John Boynton Priestley was born in Bradford in 1894. On the outbreak of the First World War Priestley immediately joined the British Army. He was sent to France and in September 1915 took part in the Battle of Loos. After being wounded in 1917 Priestley sent back to England for six months. Soon after returning to the Western Front he endured a German gas attack. Treated at Rouen he was classified by the Medical Board as unfit for active service and was transferred to the Entertainers Section of the British Army.

When Priestley left the army he became a student at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. At university Priestley he gained valuable experience by writing for the Cambridge Review. After completing a degree in Modern History and Political Science, Priestley found work as theatre reviewer with the Daily News. He also contributed articles to the Spectator, the Challenge and Nineteenth Century. Priestly also began writing books and his early critical writings such as The English Comic Characters (1925), The English Novel (1927), English Humour (1928) established his reputation as an important commentator on literature.

Priestley also wrote popular novels such as The Good Companions (1929), Angel Pavement (1930) and over fifty plays; the most notable being Dangerous Corner (1932), Time and the Conways (1937), When We Are Married (1938) and An Inspector Calls (1947).

In the 1930s Priestley became increasing concerned about social problems. This is reflected in English Journey (1934), an account of his travels through England.

During the Second World War Priestley became the presenter of Postscripts, a BBC Radio radio programme that followed the nine o'clock news on Sunday evenings. Starting on 5th June 1940, Priestley built up such a following that after a few months it was estimated that around 40 per cent of the adult population in Britain was listening to the programme.

Some members of the Conservative Party complained about Priestley expressing left-wing views on his radio programme. As a result Priestley made his last talk on 20th October 1940. These were later published in book form as Britain Speaks (1940).

Priestley and a group of friends now established the 1941 Committee. One of its members, Tom Hopkinson, later claimed that the motive force was the belief that if the Second World War was to be won "a much more coordinated effort would be needed, with stricter planning of the economy and greater use of scientific know-how, particularly in the field of war production."

Priestley became the chairman of the committee and other members included Edward G. Hulton, Kingsley Martin, Richard Acland, Michael Foot, Peter Thorneycroft, Thomas Balogh, Richie Calder, Tom Winteringham, Vernon Bartlett, Violet Bonham Carter, Konni Zilliacus, Victor Gollancz, Storm Jameson and David Low.

In December 1941 the committee published a report that called for public control of the railways, mines and docks and a national wages policy. A further report in May 1942 argued for works councils and the publication of "post-war plans for the provision of full and free education, employment and a civilized standard of living for everyone."

On 26th July 1941 Priestley, Richard Acland and other members of the 1941 Committee established the socialist Common Wealth Party. The party advocated the three principles of Common Ownership, Vital Democracy and Morality in Politics. The party favoured public ownership of land and Acland gave away his Devon family estate of 19,000 acres (8,097 hectares) to the National Trust.

Priestley was chairman of the new party but after a dispute with Acland he resigned on 28th September. The C went on to win by-elections against Conservatives at Eddisbury, Skipton and Chelmsford. However, in the 1945 General Election only one of its twenty-three candidates was successful - at Chelmsford, where there was no Labour contestant. The Common Wealth Party was dissolved in 1945 and most members joined th(less)

combine editions
Books by J.B. Priestley

Average rating: 3.66 · 2,257 ratings · 252 reviews · 120 distinct works

	An Inspector Calls 3.50 avg rating — 1,356 ratings — published 1946 — 20 editions	My rating:
	The Good Companions 4.21 avg rating — 91 ratings — published 1929 — 13 editions	My rating:
	An Inspector Calls And Other Plays 3.77 avg rating — 73 ratings — published 1969 — 3 editions	My rating:
	Time And The Conways 4.00 avg rating — 38 ratings — published 1939 — 3 editions	My rating:
	Angel Pavement 4.05 avg rating — 39 ratings — 7 editions	My rating:
	Lost Empires 4.09 avg rating — 44 ratings — 5 editions	My rating:
	Dangerous Corner 4.17 avg rating — 24 ratings — published 1932 — 3 editions	My rating:
	The Prince Of Pleasure And His Regency, 1811 20 4.00 avg rating — 19 ratings — published 1969 — 5 editions	My rating:
	Bright Day 4.00 avg rating — 22 ratings — published 1946 — 6 editions	My rating:
	English Journey 3.78 avg rating — 27 ratings — published 1934 — 7 editions	My rating:

More books by J.B. Priestley…

Series by J.B. Priestley

The Image Men (3 books)
by J.B. Priestley

3.56 avg rating — 16 ratings

Quotes by J.B. Priestley

“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.”
― J.B. Priestley

19 people liked it

“We must beware the revenge of the starved senses, the embittered animal in its prison.”
― J.B. Priestley

tags: human-nature , psychology , sociology

7 people liked it

“Like its politicians and its wars, society has the teenagers it deserves.”
― J.B. Priestley

tags: justice , society , teenagers , youth

5 people liked it

See all J.B. Priestley's quotes »

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