What is Samuel Beckett birthday?

Samuel Beckett was born at 1906-04-13

When was Samuel Beckett died?

Samuel Beckett was died at 1989-12-22

Where was Samuel Beckett died?

Samuel Beckett was died in Paris, France

Which age was Samuel Beckett died?

Samuel Beckett was died at age 83

Where is Samuel Beckett's birth place?

Samuel Beckett was born in Foxrock, Ireland

What is Samuel Beckett nationalities?

Samuel Beckett's nationalities is Irish

Who is Samuel Beckett spouses?

Samuel Beckett's spouses is Suzanne

Who is Samuel Beckett siblings?

Samuel Beckett's siblings is Frank Edward Beckett

What was Samuel Beckett universities?

Samuel Beckett studied at Trinity College Dublin

What was Samuel Beckett notable alumnis?

Samuel Beckett's notable alumnis is Trinity College Dublin

What is Samuel Beckett's religion?

Samuel Beckett's religion is Anglican

Who is Samuel Beckett's father?

Samuel Beckett's father is William Frank Beckett

Who is Samuel Beckett's mother?

Samuel Beckett's mother is May Barclay

How famous is Samuel Beckett?

Samuel Beckett is famouse as Novelist, Playwright, Theater Director

Samuel Beckett - Theater Director, Family and Childhood

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Table of contents

Personal Details
Photo
Overview
Awards
Timeline
FAQ

Nobel Laureates In Literature Irish Trinity College, Dublin Writers Poets Novelists Playwrights Essayists Aries Celebrities

Samuel Beckett's Personal Details

Samuel Beckett was an Irish playwright, novelist, theatre director and poet

Information	Detail
Birthday	April 13, 1906
Died on	December 22, 1989
Nationality	Irish
Famous	Nobel Laureates In Literature, Trinity College, Dublin, Writers, Poets, Novelists, Playwrights, Essayists, Theater Director
Spouses	Suzanne
Siblings	Frank Edward Beckett
Known as	Samuel Barclay Beckett
Universities	Trinity College Dublin
Notable Alumnis	Trinity College Dublin
Birth Place	Foxrock, Ireland
Religion	Anglican
Gender	Male
Father	William Frank Beckett
Mother	May Barclay
Sun Sign	Aries
Born in	Foxrock, Ireland
Famous as	Novelist, Playwright, Theater Director
Died at Age	83

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Samuel Beckett's photo

Last First

Who is Samuel Beckett?

Nobel Prize winning Irish avant-garde playwright, novelist and poet, Samuel Beckett is revered as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. He is best remembered as the father of the Postmodernist movement, whose body of work influenced a wide range of subsequent writers and filmmakers. He was also a writer of the ‘Theatre of the Absurd’, plays of absurdist fiction genre. His work has been embedded with elements of black comedy, gallows humour and offers a tragicomic outlook into human nature. His seminal work ‘Waiting for Godet’ is a timeless classic that delved into the absurdity of human existence. Samuel Beckett became a part of the French Resistance movement during the World War II and fled to escape war. During the years of war, he devoted his time to writing some of his most acclaimed works. He came back to Paris after the Germans left and reached the zenith of his writing career. Some of his best known works include, ‘Malone Dies’, ‘Molloy’, ‘The Unnamable’, ‘Watt’ and the play, ‘Endgame’. His works have been translated into more than twenty languages.

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Childhood & Early Life

Samuel Beckett was born on April 13, 1906 in Foxrock, Dublin, Ireland, to William Frank Beckett, a quantity surveyor and May Barclay Roe, a nurse. At the age of five, he began to learn music.

He attended the Earlsfort House School in Harcourt Street. From 1919, he attended the Portora Royal School in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – it was the same school that Oscar Wilde attended.

He was a good cricket player and played two first-class games against Northamptonshire. He is, by far, the only Nobel laureate to be part of the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, a cricket reference book.

From 1923 to 1927, he attended the Trinity College, Dublin, where he studied English, French and Italian. After he received a B.A. degree, he became a lecturer in the École Normale Supérieure (Paris), a higher education establishment.

Career

In 1929, his first critical essay titled, ‘Dante... Bruno. Vico.. Joyce’ was published. This piece of writing defended author James Joyce’s works and his methodology.

In 1930, he joined Trinity College as a lecturer and the same year he submitted a French paper on poet Jean du Chas to the Modern Languages Society of Trinity. Jean du Chas was the founder of the le Concentrisme movement.

In 1931, he came out with the essay titled, ‘Proust’, which he had finished authoring by the summer of that year. The following year, he completed his unpublished first novel, ‘Dream of Fair to Middling Women’. The book was rejected by many publishers and was published in later years.

In 1934, after his academic career came to an end at the Trinity College, he authored the poem titled, ‘Gnome’, later published in the ‘Dublin Magazine’. That year his collection of short prose, ‘More Pricks Than Kicks’ was published.

In 1938, he published his novel titled, ‘Murphy’. This work of prose fiction received many rejections and was finally published after the recommendation of his friend, Jack Butler Yeats.

After the 1940 occupation by Germany, he worked as a courier boy for the French Resistance movement and opposed the Nazi German occupation of France. During this time, he was betrayed by his unit, which led to his fleeing to Roussillon, Vaucluse.

In 1951, his French novel titled, ‘Molloy’ was published. This novel was later translated in English by Patrick Bowles. The same year, his French novel, ‘Malone Dies’ was published.

On January 3, 1953, his play, ‘Waiting for Godot’ premiered at the Théâtre de Babylone, Paris. This play revolved around two characters, ‘Vladimir’ and ‘Estragon’. The same year his novels, ‘The Unnamable’ and ‘Watt’ were also published.

In 1956, he wrote the short play, ‘Act Without Words I’, which was followed by its sequel ‘Act Without Words II’. That year he also wrote the one-act radio play, ‘All That Fall.’

On April 3, 1957, his one act play titled, ‘Endgame’ premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London. This play was written in the ‘Theatre of the Absurd’ style. That year his piece, ‘From An Abandoned Work’ was broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

On October 28, 1958, his play, ‘Krapp's Last Tape premiered and ran for a total of 38 performances.

In 1961, he authored the play, ‘Happy Days’. The same year, he also wrote the radio short plays, ‘Rough for Radio I’, ‘Rough for Radio II’ and ‘Words and Music’. The same year his French novel titled, ‘Comment c'est’ was published.

In 1962, his radio play, ‘Cascando’ was broadcast on the French public radio channel, ‘French Culture’. The following year his German play titled, ‘Spiel’ premiered in West Germany.

In 1966, his play, ‘Come and Go’ premiered at the Schiller-Theater Werkstatt in Berlin. He also wrote the screenplay for the movie titled, ‘Film’, directed by Alan Schneider, that year.

In 1976, his one act play, ‘That Time’ and ‘Footfalls’ was performed at the London Royal Court Theatre. Following this, his television play, ‘Ghost Trio’ was broadcast on BBC 2.

In 1981, his short novel, ‘Ill Seen Ill Said’ was published. Around this time, his short-one-woman play, ‘Rockaby’ premiered at the State University of New York. Furthermore, his ‘playlet’, ‘Ohio Impromptu’ was performed and TV play ‘Quad’ was broadcast.

In 1982, his short play titled, ‘Catastrophe’ was produced at the annual French festival, ‘Avignon Festival’. This was one of his few plays that dealt with a political theme.

On May 19, 1983, his last television play, ‘Nacht und Träume’ was broadcast. The same year, his last play titled, ‘What Where’ was produced and his prose piece, ‘WorstwardHo’ came out.

Major Works

His play, ‘Waiting for Godot’ was voted as ‘the most significant English language play of the 20th century’. This play is regarded as a timeless classic and it was one of his most famous works.

Awards & Achievements

In 1959, he received the honorary doctorate from Trinity College in Dublin.

In 1961, he was awarded the International Publishers' Formentor Prize.

In 1968, he became a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In 1969, he was the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Personal Life & Legacy

From the late 1950s he became romantically involved with Barbara Bray, a widow with whom he also worked professionally. Their relationship lasted until his death.

In 1961, he married tennis player, Suzanne Deschevaux-Dumesnil in a secret civil ceremony that was held in England.

He died on December 22, 1989 at the age of 83 in Paris, France. He was interred along with his wife at the Cimetière du Montparnasse in Paris.

In 1992, his autobiographical novel, ‘Dream of Fair to Middling Women’ was posthumously published.

On his 100th birth anniversary, he was depicted on Irish commemorative coin.

Trivia

This Irish avant-garde playwright, novelist and poet often insisted that he had memories of life while he was still in his mother’s womb.

In 1938, this Nobel Prize winning writer and theater director was once nearly stabbed to death by a pimp, when he refused to entertain the pimp’s solicitations.

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Samuel Beckett's awards

Year	Name	Award
Other
0	1969 - Nobel Prize in Literature
0	1945 - Croix de Guerre

Samuel Beckett biography timelines

// 13th Apr 1906
Samuel Beckett was born on April 13, 1906 in Foxrock, Dublin, Ireland, to William Frank Beckett, a quantity surveyor and May Barclay Roe, a nurse. At the age of five, he began to learn music.
// 1919
He attended the Earlsfort House School in Harcourt Street. From 1919, he attended the Portora Royal School in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – it was the same school that Oscar Wilde attended.
// 1923 To 1927
From 1923 to 1927, he attended the Trinity College, Dublin, where he studied English, French and Italian. After he received a B.A. degree, he became a lecturer in the École Normale Supérieure (Paris), a higher education establishment.
// 1929
In 1929, his first critical essay titled, ‘Dante... Bruno. Vico.. Joyce’ was published. This piece of writing defended author James Joyce’s works and his methodology.
// 1930
In 1930, he joined Trinity College as a lecturer and the same year he submitted a French paper on poet Jean du Chas to the Modern Languages Society of Trinity. Jean du Chas was the founder of the le Concentrisme movement.
// 1931
In 1931, he came out with the essay titled, ‘Proust’, which he had finished authoring by the summer of that year. The following year, he completed his unpublished first novel, ‘Dream of Fair to Middling Women’. The book was rejected by many publishers and was published in later years.
// 1934
In 1934, after his academic career came to an end at the Trinity College, he authored the poem titled, ‘Gnome’, later published in the ‘Dublin Magazine’. That year his collection of short prose, ‘More Pricks Than Kicks’ was published.
// 1938
In 1938, he published his novel titled, ‘Murphy’. This work of prose fiction received many rejections and was finally published after the recommendation of his friend, Jack Butler Yeats.
// 1938
In 1938, this Nobel Prize winning writer and theater director was once nearly stabbed to death by a pimp, when he refused to entertain the pimp’s solicitations.
// 1940
After the 1940 occupation by Germany, he worked as a courier boy for the French Resistance movement and opposed the Nazi German occupation of France. During this time, he was betrayed by his unit, which led to his fleeing to Roussillon, Vaucluse.
// 1951
In 1951, his French novel titled, ‘Molloy’ was published. This novel was later translated in English by Patrick Bowles. The same year, his French novel, ‘Malone Dies’ was published.
// 3rd Jan 1953
On January 3, 1953, his play, ‘Waiting for Godot’ premiered at the Théâtre de Babylone, Paris. This play revolved around two characters, ‘Vladimir’ and ‘Estragon’. The same year his novels, ‘The Unnamable’ and ‘Watt’ were also published.
// 1956
In 1956, he wrote the short play, ‘Act Without Words I’, which was followed by its sequel ‘Act Without Words II’. That year he also wrote the one-act radio play, ‘All That Fall.’
// 3rd Apr 1957
On April 3, 1957, his one act play titled, ‘Endgame’ premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London. This play was written in the ‘Theatre of the Absurd’ style. That year his piece, ‘From An Abandoned Work’ was broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
// 28th Oct 1958
On October 28, 1958, his play, ‘Krapp's Last Tape premiered and ran for a total of 38 performances.
// 1959
In 1959, he received the honorary doctorate from Trinity College in Dublin.
// 1961
In 1961, he authored the play, ‘Happy Days’. The same year, he also wrote the radio short plays, ‘Rough for Radio I’, ‘Rough for Radio II’ and ‘Words and Music’. The same year his French novel titled, ‘Comment c'est’ was published.
// 1961
In 1961, he was awarded the International Publishers' Formentor Prize.
// 1961
In 1961, he married tennis player, Suzanne Deschevaux-Dumesnil in a secret civil ceremony that was held in England.
// 1962
In 1962, his radio play, ‘Cascando’ was broadcast on the French public radio channel, ‘French Culture’. The following year his German play titled, ‘Spiel’ premiered in West Germany.
// 1966
In 1966, his play, ‘Come and Go’ premiered at the Schiller-Theater Werkstatt in Berlin. He also wrote the screenplay for the movie titled, ‘Film’, directed by Alan Schneider, that year.
// 1968
In 1968, he became a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
// 1969
In 1969, he was the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature.
// 1976
In 1976, his one act play, ‘That Time’ and ‘Footfalls’ was performed at the London Royal Court Theatre. Following this, his television play, ‘Ghost Trio’ was broadcast on BBC 2.
// 1981
In 1981, his short novel, ‘Ill Seen Ill Said’ was published. Around this time, his short-one-woman play, ‘Rockaby’ premiered at the State University of New York. Furthermore, his ‘playlet’, ‘Ohio Impromptu’ was performed and TV play ‘Quad’ was broadcast.
// 1982
In 1982, his short play titled, ‘Catastrophe’ was produced at the annual French festival, ‘Avignon Festival’. This was one of his few plays that dealt with a political theme.
// 19th May 1983
On May 19, 1983, his last television play, ‘Nacht und Träume’ was broadcast. The same year, his last play titled, ‘What Where’ was produced and his prose piece, ‘WorstwardHo’ came out.
// 22nd Dec 1989
He died on December 22, 1989 at the age of 83 in Paris, France. He was interred along with his wife at the Cimetière du Montparnasse in Paris.
// 1992
In 1992, his autobiographical novel, ‘Dream of Fair to Middling Women’ was posthumously published.

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Samuel Beckett's FAQ

What is Samuel Beckett birthday?
Samuel Beckett was born at 1906-04-13
When was Samuel Beckett died?
Samuel Beckett was died at 1989-12-22
Where was Samuel Beckett died?
Samuel Beckett was died in Paris, France
Which age was Samuel Beckett died?
Samuel Beckett was died at age 83
Where is Samuel Beckett's birth place?
Samuel Beckett was born in Foxrock, Ireland
What is Samuel Beckett nationalities?
Samuel Beckett's nationalities is Irish
Who is Samuel Beckett spouses?
Samuel Beckett's spouses is Suzanne
Who is Samuel Beckett siblings?
Samuel Beckett's siblings is Frank Edward Beckett
What was Samuel Beckett universities?
Samuel Beckett studied at Trinity College Dublin
What was Samuel Beckett notable alumnis?
Samuel Beckett's notable alumnis is Trinity College Dublin
What is Samuel Beckett's religion?
Samuel Beckett's religion is Anglican
Who is Samuel Beckett's father?
Samuel Beckett's father is William Frank Beckett
Who is Samuel Beckett's mother?
Samuel Beckett's mother is May Barclay
What is Samuel Beckett's sun sign?
Samuel Beckett is Aries
How famous is Samuel Beckett?
Samuel Beckett is famouse as Novelist, Playwright, Theater Director