born June 9, 1893, Worcester, Mass., U.S.
died Sept. 9, 1973, New York, N.Y.
U.S. playwright.
He contributed to New York newspapers and magazines and studied drama at Harvard University. His successful first play, the light comedy The Second Man (1927), was followed by the popular Meteor (1929), Brief Moment (1931), and Biography (1932). His more serious plays include Rain from Heaven (1934) and No Time for Comedy (1939). Noted for addressing complex social and moral issues, he wrote over 25 comedies in his 40-year career, and nearly every one was a hit.