george bernard shaw (1856-1950) was an irish playwright, political activist, critic and a co-founder of london school of economics. he received the nobel prize for literature in 1925 and thirteen years later he even won the oscar for best adapted screenplay ("pygmalion," based upon his stage play), sharing the award with ian dalrymple, cecil lewis and w.p. lipscomb. an ardent socialist, shaw was distressed by what he perceived to be the exploitation of the working class. he wrote many brochures and speeches for the fabian society. he became an accomplished orator in the furtherance of its causes, which included demanding equal rights for men and women, alleviating abuses of the working class, rescinding private ownership of productive land, and promoting healthy lifestyles. for a short time he was also active in local politics, serving in the london county council.