Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Eric Bentley

Role / Field:

American playwright and theater critic, known for his sharp wit and academic rigor.

Born:

1916-09-14

Died:

2020-08-05

Century / Era:

1916s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Eric Russell Bentley (September 14, 1916 – August 5, 2020) was a British-born American theater critic, playwright, singer, editor, and translator. In 1998, he was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the New York Theater Hall of Fame, recognizing his many years of cabaret performances. Bentley was born in Bolton, Lancashire, the son of Laura Evelyn and Fred Bentley.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Bentley attended University College, Oxford, where his tutors were J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Lewis; he received his degree in English in 1938. He subsequently attended Yale University (B. Litt. in 1939 and PhD in 1941), where he received the John Addison Porter Prize. Bentley taught History and Drama during the 1942 summer session at Black Mountain College, as well as from 1943 to 1944. Beginning in 1953, he taught at Columbia University and was a theatre critic for The New Republic.

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• 1916 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1916
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Frequently Asked Questions about Eric Bentley