Hellman, Lillian 1906–

An American playwright, screenwriter, and director, Hellman has also published three highly successful memoirs. Both her plays and memoirs are characterized by scrupulous diction and economy of language. Hellman's most recent memoir, Scoundrel Time, has proved to be the most controversial of all her writings. (See also CLC, Vols. 2, 4, 8, and Contemporary Authors, Vols. 13-16, rev. ed.)