Pinter, Harold, 1930-2008

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English playwright, screenwriter, actor, theatre director, left-wing political activist and poet.

From the description of Landscape : typescript with autograph revisions : [England?, 1967]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270914943

English playwright, actor, director, screenwriter, and poet.

From the description of Harold Pinter Collection, 1960-1980. (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center (HRC); University of Texas at Austin). WorldCat record id: 122590489

Harold Pinter, playwright.

From the description of No man's land: typescript, n.d. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122456327

One of England's most important playwrights, Harold Pinter was born in Hackney, near the East End of London, on October 10, 1930. The son of tailor Hyman Jack Pinter and Frances Mann Pinter, he grew up in a working class environment. While attending Hackney Downs Grammar School, he became interested in acting and participated in school productions, and he also began writing essays and poetry. In 1948 Pinter was admitted to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, but he left after two terms. From then until 1958 he worked as an actor, using the name David Baron from 1954 to 1958. He acted in BBC radio programs, attended the Central School of Speech and Drama (1951), toured Ireland with Anew McMaster's Shakespearean repertory company for 18 months, and then worked in various other repertory companies, including Donald Wolfit's Shakespearean company.

During that time, Pinter continued to write poetry and short prose pieces; his poetry was first published in Poetry London in 1950 under the pseudonym Harold Pinta. In 1957 Pinter was asked to write a play for the drama department at Bristol University, and in four days he wrote The Room, which was very well received and was entered in the Sunday Times student drama festival. A favorable review of that play led Michael Codron to produce Pinter's next play, The Birthday Party, which was not successful and closed after a week's time. However, his second full-length play, The Caretaker (1960), received critical acclaim. A prolific writer, Pinter went on to write numerous radio plays, television plays, and short plays, as well as full-length plays, for the stage. A Slight Ache (1959), which had been commissioned by the BBC and was later adapted for the stage, gained him the attention of a broader public. From then on, his reputation grew until he became known as one of the most influential and important dramatists of post-war England, responsible for the creation of two new dramatic terms, Pinteresque (defining his unique style) and Pinter pause (referring to his use of meaningful silences). The Homecoming (1965) is widely considered Pinter's best and most important play, but his other full-length plays, such as Old Times (1971) and Betrayal (1978), have also been significant. In addition to his stage and radio plays, Pinter has written screenplays, including The Servant (1962), Accident (1967), The Go-Between (1971), The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), Turtle Diary (1985), The Trial (1989), and The Handmaid's Tale (1990), among others. Pinter did not abandon his interest in poetry; besides publishing several volumes of poetry, he has also edited anthologies of poetry, including Ninety-Nine Poems in Translation (1994).

Pinter is an accomplished director and has directed productions of his own plays and others; he served as Associate Director at the National Theatre from 1973 until 1983.

Pinter has been married twice: first to actress Vivien Merchant (1956-80), with whom he had one son, and second to author Lady Antonia Fraser (1980-).

From the guide to the Harold Pinter Collection TXRC99-A23., 1960-1980, (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin)

Pinter was born on 10 October 1930, the only child of Jack and Frances Pinter and educated at Hackney Downs Grammar School, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Central School of Speech and Drama.

In 1956 he married the actress Vivien Merchant (b 1929, d 1982). Their marriage was dissolved in 1980 and in the same year he married the writer Lady Antonia Fraser (b 1932). Between 1951 and 1957 Pinter's primary employment was as an actor, mainly working with touring repertory companies.

Pinter's literary career began in 1957 with the writing of his play The Room and its production at the University of Bristol. Thereafter he wrote plays for stage, television, radio and film and adapted the work of others for the screen. Pinter was also a director, directing the plays of other writers and some productions of his own plays. He wrote poetry and continued to perform occasional acting roles on stage, screen and radio. Pinter was an Associate Director of the National Theatre, 1973 to 1983.

He had an interest in international and domestic political issues and was involved with several political causes and organisations. In addition to numerous honorary degrees, Pinter was awarded many prizes and awards including a CBE (1966), Shakespeare Prize (1970), David Cohen Prize for Literature (1995), Laurence Olivier Special Award (1996), BAFTA fellowship (1997), Companion of Literature (1998), Brianza Poetry Prize (2000), Companion of Honour for Services to Literature (2002), Nobel Prize for Literature (2005) and Légion d'honneur (2007). Pinter had a strong interest in cricket and had connections with the Gaieties Cricket Club. He died on 24 December 2008.

Epithet: playwright, director and actor

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000205.0x0003df

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Derek Mahon papers Emory University. Special Collections and Archives
referencedIn 'The Rehearsal' by J G Severns, 1957 British Library
creatorOf Tarragon Theatre Archives (University of Guelph). Other Places / by Harold Pinter ; directed by Ken Livingstone, 1986 - house program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Harold Pinter Archive, 1943-2008 British Library: Western Manuscripts
creatorOf Edward Upward: Correspondence (1990-92), 1990-1992 British Library
creatorOf Revised word-processed draft, 2005-2006 British Library
creatorOf Tom Stoppard Papers Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Lucille Lortel papers The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Anti-Apartheid Movement. Correspondence and papers of Freda Troup (Mrs Leon Levson) writer and anti-apartheid activist (b. 1911, d. 2004), relating to an Anti-Apartheid Movement campaign to encourage writers and playwrights to withdraw rights to hav..., 1958-1963 British Library
referencedIn Haila Stoddard playscript collection, 1944-1968 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Ronald Harwood Papers. Vol. cccii. General correspondence N-R.Martyn R. P. Naylor; 1987. Photocopy.Ivan Neill; 1960.Peter Nichols; 1997.William Nicholson; 1999.Michael Noakes; 1968, 1971.Arne Nordheim; 1972.Bryan Oates; 1988.Laurence Olivier, Baro..., 1960-2002 British Library
creatorOf Fitzgerald, F. Scott (Francis Scott), 1896-1940. F. Scott Fitzgerald additional papers, 1909-2008. Princeton University Library
creatorOf Phoenix Archives. The Collection / by Harold Pinter - reviews and articles, 1975. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Clurman, Harold, 1901-1980. Harold Clurman papers, 1922-1980. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn B.S. Johnson Archive British Library: Western Manuscripts
creatorOf CentreStage Theatre Archives. The Homecoming / by Harold Pinter ; directed by Alan Scarfe, 1984 - production photos. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Theatre Aquarius Archives. The Caretaker / by Harold Pinter ; directed by Nanci Rossov, 1976 - performance file. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf MARGARET GARDINER PAPERS. Vol. II (ff. 204). Correspondence and papers; 1966. 1. ff. 1-106. Labour voters' protest on Vietnam; April 1966. 2. ff. 107-204. Protest meeting at Jeanetta Cochrane Theatre; July 1966.includes:ff. 2, 198 Sir Alfred Jules ..., 1966 British Library
referencedIn Samuel Beckett Collection Boston College. John J. Burns Library
creatorOf Theatre Plus Archives. Old Times / by Harold Pinter ; directed by Duncan McIntosh, 1992 - reviews and articles. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Pinter, Harold, 1930-2008. Papers, 1960. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Angela Carter Papers, [1887-2002, nd] British Library: Western Manuscripts
referencedIn John Hall Papers, 1950-1997. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Edna O'Brien papers Emory University. Special Collections and Archives
creatorOf Vidal, Gore, 1925-. Papers, 1875-2004 (inclusive), 1936-2000 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Ronald Harwood Papers. Vol. xlvii. Notes and correspondence relating to the writing and production of 'Reflected glory'; 1990-1993. Partly photocopies, partly signed. Includes correspondence on casting and messages of support for the opening nig..., 1990-1993 British Library
referencedIn Dirk Bogarde collection, 1921-1999 Boston University. Library.
referencedIn Hall, John (John Clifford), 1925-. John Hall papers, 1950-1997. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Pinter, Harold, 1930-2008. Other places, three plays : [proofs and trial dustjacket] / Harold Pinter. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Edward Upward: Supplementary Papers, 1920-2009 British Library: Western Manuscripts
creatorOf Theatre Plus Archives. Old Times / by Harold Pinter ; directed by Duncan McIntosh, 1992 - performance file. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn HUMPHREY SEARLE COLLECTION. Vol. xiv. Chamber works without opus number; 1971-1972, 1976.ff. 28. Largest size 250 x 315mm.1. ff. 1-9. ‘Cat Variations’ on a theme from Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, for clarinet and piano; 1971. Pencil and ink scores..., 1971-1976 British Library
creatorOf Hare, David, 1947-. Papers, 1968-1993. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Adrienne Kennedy Papers TXRC94-A15., ca. 1954-1992 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Tom Stoppard Papers Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Richard Barr and Clinton Wilder papers The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Pinter, Harold, 1930-2008. Harold Pinter Collection, 1960-1980. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Owen Hale Collection, 1953-1992 V & A Department of Theatre and Performance
referencedIn Chapters 9-16, 2005 British Library
referencedIn Derek Parker Collection TXRC96-A45., 1955-1970 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Clodd, Alan. Proofs and correspondence for an edition of Harold Pinter's poems published by the Enitharmon Press in 1968. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Ṿolf, Amir Y. 880-01 Mesibat yomuledet. HCL Technical Services, Harvard College Library
creatorOf Theatre Plus Archives. Old Times / by Harold Pinter ; directed by Duncan McIntosh, 1992 - house program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Pinter, Harold, 1930-2008. The remains of the day : a screenplay / by Harold Pinter. Broken Bow Public Library
referencedIn Steinbeck, John, 1902-1968. Autograph and typed letters signed (18) : Florence, Paris, New York, London, Discover Cottage (Bruton, Somerset), and [n.p.], to Graham and Dorothy Watson, 1954-1966 and [n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn John Fowles Papers TXRC93-A76., ca. 1926-1992 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf CentreStage Theatre Archives. The Homecoming / by Harold Pinter ; directed by Alan Scarfe, 1984 - performance file. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Pinter, Harold, 1930-2008. The remains of the day : a screenplay : filmscript, 1991 / by Harold Pinter. Indiana University
referencedIn Works by other persons or unidentified authors. Includes: short essay on education by George Chester Earle, ‘Adventures with words’ by George Chester Earle; ‘My autograph book’, by Georgina Henschel; ‘The dead donkey’, a poem by ‘Pegeen Mair’; leaves..., 1908-approximately 1965 British Library
creatorOf MARGARET GARDINER PAPERS. Vol. I (ff. 163). Correspondence and papers; 1962-1965. 1. ff. 1-17. Nuclear disarmament; 1962-1964. 2. ff. 18-82v. British writers' protest on Vietnam; 1965. 3. ff. 83-163. West European artists' protest on Vietnam; 1965.in..., 1962-1965 British Library
referencedIn Alan Schneider Papers University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Correspondence of Irving Wardle with correspondents with surnames P-W, letters to him unless otherwise stated:Harold Pinter, 1858-1991 Margaret Francesca (Peggy) Ramsay, with letters from Wardle, 1974-1977 Sir Terence Mervyn Rattigan, with a letter..., 1955-1993 British Library
creatorOf Add MS 88880/13. Miscellaneous Works About Pinter.Includes published and unpublished articles, critical and biographical essays, dissertations and interviews relating to Pinter and his writing. All are typewritten, includes some photocopies. Arrange... British Library
referencedIn Alan Schneider Papers Mandeville Special Collections Library
referencedIn Grove Press Records Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn David Hare Papers TXRC95-A129., 1968-93 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Harold Pinter Collection TXRC99-A23., 1960-1980 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Fowles, John, 1926-2005. Papers, 1926-1992 (bulk 1953-1991). Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Howard, Elizabeth Jane. Papers of Elizabeth Jane Howard, 1933-2009. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Phoenix Archives. Old Times / by Harold Pinter - reviews and articles, 1978. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf CentreStage Theatre Archives. The Homecoming / by Harold Pinter ; technical drawings by John Ferguson, 1983. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Living Theatre records, 1945-1991 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Word-processed text, lettered A, 2000 British Library
creatorOf Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph). Pinter Workshop / directed by Michael Howell, 1986 - videotape. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Tarragon Theatre Archives (University of Guelph). Other Places / by Harold Pinter ; directed by Ken Livingstone, 1986 - performance file. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Tarragon Theatre Archives (University of Guelph). Other Places / by Harold Pinter ; directed by Ken Livingstone, 1986 - House Program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
referencedIn Alan Schneider Papers Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Kauffmann, Stanley, 1916-. Office files of The American Poetry Review, 1972-1975. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Kennedy, Adrienne. Papers, ca. 1954-1992. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn Philip Roth Papers, 1938-2001, (bulk 1960-1999) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Parker, Derek. Collection, 1955-1970. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
creatorOf Angela Carter Papers: Papers relating to groups and meetings, 1977-1990 British Library
creatorOf Plays and Other Works of Harold Pinter.Ronald Harwood Papers. Vols. cccvii-cccxxv. Works by Harold Pinter presented by him to Harwood; 1970-2004. n.d. Mostly typewritten. Some with compliments slips and autograph covering notes. For original ve... British Library
creatorOf Pinter, Harold, 1930-2008. The Caretaker and The Dumb Waiter. Greater Victoria Public Library
creatorOf Supplementary Pinter Papers, 1977-2008 British Library: Western Manuscripts
creatorOf Brunius, Jacques-B. Jacques-B. Brunius papers, 1929-1967. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Pinter, Harold, 1930-2008. Moonlight : a play / by Harold Pinter. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Gore Vidal papers, 1850-2020 (inclusive), 1936-2008 (bulk) Houghton Library
creatorOf Harold Pinter Archive, 1943-2008 British Library
creatorOf Pinter, Harold, 1930-2008. Landscape : typescript with autograph revisions : [England?, 1967]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf CentreStage Theatre Archives (University of Guelph). The Homecoming / by Harold Pinter, 1984 - house program. University of Guelph. McLaughlin Library
creatorOf Agor, Yaʻaḳov. 880-01 Menahel ha-bayit. HCL Technical Services, Harvard College Library
referencedIn Dukore, Bernard Frank, 1931-. Bernard F. Dukore Collection, [197-?-2008]. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Pinter, Harold, 1930-2008. No man's land: typescript, n.d. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf NICHOLS PAPERS. Vol. CLXXXII (ff. 214). Correspondence N-Q. Includes correspondence with John and Helen Osborne (ff. 97-150) and with Hal and Judy Prince (ff. 182-213).includes:f. Joan Ann Plowright, actress; alias 'The Lady Olivier': Letter to ... British Library
referencedIn Red Dust (Firm). Papers, 1963-2010. Indiana University
referencedIn Prompt books and related materials from productions at the Harvard University Loeb Drama Center Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Tetsuo Kishi papers and correspondence , 1967-2012 British Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Alan, Schneider person
correspondedWith Albee, Edward Franklin, b 1928 person
associatedWith American Repertory Theatre (Cambridge, Mass.). corporateBody
correspondedWith Andrews, Robert Graham Marshall-, b 1944 person
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correspondedWith Ash, Timothy John Garton, b 1955 person
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correspondedWith Benn, Anthony Neil Wedgwood, 1925-2014 person
correspondedWith Blair, Anthony Charles Lynton, b 1953 person
correspondedWith Bogarde, Dirk, 1921-1999. person
associatedWith Bolster, Anita Sharp person
associatedWith Bolster, Anita Sharp. person
correspondedWith Bragg, Melvyn, b 1939 person
correspondedWith Bray, Barbara, 1924-2010 person
associatedWith Brunius, Jacques-B. person
correspondedWith Carter, Angela Olive, 1940-1992 person
associatedWith CentreStage Theatre Archives. corporateBody
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associatedWith CentreStage Theatre Archives (University of Guelph) corporateBody
correspondedWith Chomsky, Avram Noam, b 1928 person
associatedWith Clodd, Alan. person
associatedWith Clurman, Harold, 1901-1980. person
associatedWith Fitzgerald, F. Scott (Francis Scott), 1896-1940. person
associatedWith Fowles, John, 1926-2005 person
associatedWith Fraser, Dame, Antonia, b 1932 person
correspondedWith Freud, Lucien Michael, b 1922 person
associatedWith Gold, Joseph, 1912- person
associatedWith Graham, William Sydney, 1918-1986 person
correspondedWith Gray, Simon James Holliday, 1936-2008 person
associatedWith Grove Press. corporateBody
correspondedWith Halberstam, David, 1934-2007 person
associatedWith Hale, Owen person
associatedWith Hall, John (John Clifford), 1925- person
correspondedWith Hall, Sir, Peter Reginald Frederick, b 1930 person
correspondedWith Hardin, Herschel, b 1936 person
associatedWith Hare, David, 1947- person
correspondedWith Hare, Sir, David, b 1947 person
correspondedWith Hattersley, Roy Sydney George, b 1932 person
correspondedWith Havel, Vaclav, 1936-2001 person
correspondedWith Hersh, Seymour Myron, b 1937 person
associatedWith Hewes, Henry person
associatedWith Hewes, Henry. person
correspondedWith Hitchens, Christopher Eric, 1949-2011 person
associatedWith Horowitz, Michael. person
associatedWith Howard, Elizabeth Jane. person
associatedWith Ishiguro, Kazuo, 1954- person
correspondedWith Johnson, Bryan Stanley William, 1933-1973 person
associatedWith June 20 Group (active 1987) corporateBody
associatedWith Kauffmann, Stanley, 1916- person
associatedWith Kennedy, Adrienne, 1931- person
correspondedWith Livingstone, Kenneth Robert, b 1945 person
associatedWith Living Theatre (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Lortel, Lucille person
associatedWith Mahon, Derek, 1941- person
correspondedWith McEwan, Ian Russell, b 1948 person
correspondedWith Naipaul, Sir, Vidiadhar Surajprasad, b 1932 person
associatedWith New York Public Library, Billy Rose Theatre Collection, Theatre on Film and Tape Archive. corporateBody
associatedWith O'Brien, Edna. person
correspondedWith Pamuk, Ferit Orhan, b 1952 person
associatedWith Parker, Derek, 1932- person
associatedWith Phoenix Archives. corporateBody
associatedWith Phoenix Archives. corporateBody
associatedWith Rechler, Roger, person
correspondedWith Red Dust (Firm). corporateBody
correspondedWith Roth, Philip. person
associatedWith Saddler, Donald person
associatedWith Schneider, Alan, 1917-1984. person
associatedWith Schwartz, Jacob person
associatedWith Schwartz, Jacob. person
correspondedWith Sharrock, Thea, b 1976 person
associatedWith Shaw Festival Collection (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Steinbeck, John, 1902-1968. person
associatedWith Stoddard, Haila. person
correspondedWith Stoppard, Sir, Tom, b 1937 person
associatedWith Stoppard, Tom person
associatedWith Stoppard, Tom. person
correspondedWith Strong, Sir, Roy Colin, b 1935 person
associatedWith Tarragon Theatre Archives (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Tarragon Theatre Archives (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Tarragon Theatre Archives (University of Guelph) corporateBody
associatedWith Theatre Aquarius Archives. corporateBody
associatedWith Theatre Plus Archives. corporateBody
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correspondedWith Upward, Edward Falaise, 1903-2009 person
associatedWith Vidal, Gore, 1925- person
associatedWith Wilder, Clinton person
Place Name Admin Code Country
England
Subject
Theater
Drama
Dramatists, English
Poets, English
Motion picture plays
Screenwriters
Screenwriters
Television plays
Occupation
Actors
Directors
Dramatists
Editors
Activity

Person

Birth 1930-10-10

Death 2008-12-24

Britons

English,

Italian,

French

Information

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