Biography
Robert E. Sherwood emerged from a sophisticated and well-connected family, steeped in creativity and cultural influence. His upbringing was imbued with artistic and intellectual pursuits, which would later shape his career as a renowned playwright and screenwriter. Despite facing academic challenges, Sherwood's legacy is defined by his contributions to theater, literature, and political thought.
Early Life and Education
Born to an artistically inclined family, Robert Emmet Sherwood was named after the Irish patriot, Robert Emmet, a testament to his family's proud heritage. His mother, Rosina Emmet, was a distinguished artist featured in Who’s Who, while his father, Arthur Murray Sherwood, was an influential investment broker with a passion for acting. Arthur had been a leading figure at Harvard, serving as the first president of the Harvard Lampoon and an active member of the Hasty Pudding Club. Young Robert followed in his father's footsteps at Harvard, contributing to both the Lampoon and the Hasty Pudding Club.
Formative Years
Sherwood's childhood was rich with artistic endeavors. The family resided in a New York City home but spent summers at Skene Wood, a vast Georgian estate near Lake Champlain, where Robert and his siblings staged amateur plays and he produced a handwritten newspaper, Children’s Life. His early forays into writing included completing an ending for Dickens’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood at eight and creating his first original play by ten.
Academic Challenges
Robert's education took him from the Fay School to Milton Academy, both prestigious preparatory schools aimed at grooming students for Harvard University. However, Robert's focus remained on literary rather than academic pursuits. At Milton, he edited the school magazine, Orange and Blue, but struggled with his studies, resulting in his withdrawal from this editorial role and ultimately receiving only a certificate of attendance. His peers nonetheless chose him as valedictorian, a testament to his charismatic leadership.
Harvard and Beyond
Sherwood's time at Harvard mirrored his earlier academic struggles, with his contribution to theater and literary societies overshadowing his scholastic record. Facing potential expulsion multiple times, he left Harvard without graduating. Despite these setbacks, he found a creative outlet in joining the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I, serving as a notable member due to his height and earning a degree in absentia from Harvard in 1918.
Literary Beginnings
Post-war, Sherwood's career in journalism began at Vanity Fair following a satirical piece he wrote for the Lampoon. Collaborating with Robert Benchley and Dorothy Parker, Sherwood's tenure was cut short in 1920 due to disputes with the editorial staff. However, he soon took up an editorial role at Life magazine, where his involvement with the Algonquin Round Table further cemented his place in literary circles.
Personal Life and Theatrical Success
In 1922, Sherwood married Mary Brandon, though their marriage faced challenges, ending in 1934. He remarried actress Madeline Hurlock Connelly the following year. Financial difficulties led Sherwood to pen The Road to Rome swiftly, a play that became a Broadway hit and solidified his reputation as a playwright able to turn his fortunes around with rapid creativity.
Professional Advocacy and Shift in Ideology
His experiences and beliefs fueled his activism within the arts community. Sherwood took on leadership roles, including secretary and later president of the Dramatists’ Guild. He also co-founded the Playwrights’ Company, empowering playwrights to have more control over their work. Initially a pacifist, Sherwood's stance shifted with the rise of Hitler, leading him to advocate for action against totalitarian regimes in plays like There Shall Be No Night.
Political Engagement and Propaganda Work
Sherwood's talents extended beyond theater into political advocacy during World...
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War II. A confidant of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, he crafted war propaganda and served as a key speechwriter. His roles included special assistant to the secretary of war and director of the overseas branch of the Office of War Information, eventually serving the secretary of the navy as well.
Screenwriting and Achievements
Alongside his theater work, Sherwood enjoyed a successful screenwriting career. His early collaborations included Cock of the Air and The Scarlet Pimpernel, but his most acclaimed film work was The Best Years of Our Lives, earning an Academy Award for Best Screenplay in 1946. His dramatic and historical writings earned him multiple Pulitzer Prizes and other prestigious awards, reflecting his significant impact on American arts and letters.
Legacy and Death
Sherwood's wartime experiences and government connections enriched his insights and contributions to political thought. Despite collaborations with researchers like Sidney Hyman, who aided in works such as Roosevelt and Hopkins, Sherwood's post-war output decreased in quality. He passed away in 1955 at fifty-nine, leaving behind a legacy celebrated for its depth and breadth in drama, literature, and journalism.