• Biography

Denis Johnston was an Irish playwright, journalist, and broadcaster who was born in Dublin in 1901. He was a major figure in the Irish literary and theatrical scene of the mid-twentieth century, and his works are still widely read and performed today.

Early Life

Johnston was born in Dublin in 1901 to a middle-class family. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he studied English and French literature. After graduating, he worked as a journalist for the Irish Times and the Evening Herald. He also wrote plays for the Abbey Theatre, the national theatre of Ireland, and was a regular contributor to the BBC.

Writing Career

Johnston's first play, The Old Lady Says No!, was produced at the Abbey Theatre in 1929. It was a huge success and established him as a major figure in the Irish theatre scene. He went on to write several more plays, including The Moon in the Yellow River (1932), The Big Fellow (1935), and Shadow and Substance (1937). His plays often dealt with themes of Irish history and politics, and he was a vocal critic of British rule in Ireland.

Johnston also wrote several novels, including The Moon in the Yellow River (1932), The Big Fellow (1935), and Shadow and Substance (1937). He also wrote several non-fiction works, including The Irish Revolution (1932) and The Irish at War (1939).

Broadcasting Career

Johnston was a regular contributor to the BBC, and he was the first Irishman to be appointed as a BBC producer. He was also a regular contributor to the Irish radio station Radio Éireann. He was a passionate advocate for Irish culture and was a major influence on the development of Irish radio and television.

Later Life

Johnston continued to write and broadcast until his death in 1984. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin in 1982, and he was posthumously awarded the Irish Times/ESB Lifetime Achievement Award in 1985.

Legacy

Johnston is remembered as one of the most important figures in Irish literature and theatre of the twentieth century. His plays are still widely performed, and his novels and non-fiction works are still widely read. He was a passionate advocate for Irish culture and a major influence on the development of Irish radio and television. His legacy lives on in the works of Irish writers and broadcasters today.

Date modified: Apr 3, 2023
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