George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw's contemporary, Gilbert K Chesterdon, dedicated a book to exploring Shaw as a person. He wrote it as a first edition, indicating he anticipated more to follow. This may have been because Shaw was still alive when Chesterdon was writing, so Chesterdon intended to write later editions as Shaw's life progressed.

Chesterdon divides his entries into multiple parts, each section focused on a different aspecs of Shaw's complex identity. Rather than focus on his fame as a successful playwright, Chesterdon appears to be more focused on producing a well-rounded image of the author. For example, he first tackles Shaw's national identity as an Irishman. Shaw's works may be better understood by taking the time to put them into the context of Shaw himself.

However, Chesterdon indicates that the pursuit of Shaw may yield unsatisfying results: "Most people either say that they agree with Bernard Shaw or that they do not understand him. I am the only person who understands him, and I do not agree with him". This is emblematic of Shaw's public presence--he seems to be a famous yet enigmatic figure.

Gilbert K Chesterdon

Library Of Congress

The Plimpton Press

1909

Public Domain

Book