George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950) was an Irish dramatist and social critic. Known for his skill in writing realism, satire, and comedy, Shaw wrote five novels and over forty plays, including Pygmalion. An active socialist, Shaw also wrote many political essays. In 1925, Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. In 1938, Shaw earned an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on the film adaptation of Pygmalion.