Arthur Miller
The author of classics such as The Crucible and Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller was one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century. Miller is also the only one of our honorees known to be a close associate of Steinbeck. Willing to depict the dark side of the American Dream, Miller probed complex moral and psychological themes. Steinbeck admired Miller as a writer and as a courageous man and defended Miller's refusal to offer names and cooperate with the witch-hunting House Committee on Un-American Activities. On April 22, after a well-attended reading at Morris Dailey Auditorium, Miller appeared at a reception and was given the John Steinbeck Award by Dr. Susan Shillinglaw. Later, Elaine Steinbeck wrote, "John would be thrilled to have Arty receive this award."
