Playwright Irwin Shaw was an American playwright, novelist, and short story writer. He is best known for his novel Rich Man, Poor Man and his play Bury the Dead. He was born in New York City in 1913 and died in 1984. He wrote more than 20 novels, dozens of short stories, and several plays. His works often explored the struggles of the working class and the effects of war on society. He won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949 for his play, 'Aurora Dawn'.