STOCKHOLM: The 1969 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded today [Oct 23] to Irish-French playwright Samuel Beckett. He will receive 375,000 crowns (30,000 sterling) in prize money.

Beckett, 63, who lives in Paris, was honoured by the Swedish Academy for his writing which — in new forms for the novel and drama — “in the destitution of modern man acquires its elevation”. Regarded as one of the greatest living playwrights and a major influence on mid-century European drama, he has been among the leading candidates for the award for several years.

Born in Dublin in 1906, he was educated at Trinity College before going to Paris for the first extensive visit as a university lecturer in English in 1928. Two years later he returned to teach French at Trinity College, where he published his first book, a poem called “Whoroscope”, in 1930. He left Dublin in 1932 and travelled in Europe before settling down in Paris in 1937, where he renewed his friendship with Irish author James Joyce.

Beckett published his first novel “Murphy” in 1939, and his first and best known play, the avant garde “Waiting for Godot”, in 1952. This was followed by a series of existentialist comedies, including “End Game” and “Happy Days”. — Agencies

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2019