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Susan Glaspell

 

About the Author

Susan Glaspell

Susan Glaspell (1876–1948) was an American playwright, novelist, journalist, and actress. Born in Davenport, Iowa, she began her career as a reporter, covering crime and court cases, experiences that strongly influenced her writing. Glaspell was a founding member of the Provincetown Players, an influential theatre group that helped launch the careers of many American playwrights, including Eugene O’Neill. She wrote more than a dozen plays, often focusing on themes of gender inequality, justice, and the inner lives of women. Her most famous works include:

Trifles (1916) – inspired by a real murder case she covered as a reporter.

A Jury of Her Peers (1917) – a short story adaptation of Trifles.

Alison’s House (1930), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1931.

 Fun Facts About Susan Glaspell

  • Inspired by a real crime, Trifles was based on a murder case she reported as a young journalist in Iowa.
  • Pulitzer Prize Winner – Won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1931 for Alison’s House.
  • Theatre pioneer – Co-founded the Provincetown Players, which shaped modern American drama.
  • Adapted her own work – Turned Trifles into the short story A Jury of Her Peers.
  • Ahead of her time – Wrote openly about women’s rights and equality in an era when they were rarely discussed on stage.

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