1907-1984. US playwright, whose work is
concerned with contemporary political and
social issues. The Children's Hour 1934, The
Little Foxes 1939, and Toys in the Attic 1960
are all examples of the `well-made play'. She
lived 31 years with the writer Dashiell
Hammett, and in her will set up a fund to
promote Marxist doctrine. Since her death
there has been dispute over the accuracy of
her memoirs, for example Pentimento 1973.