JB Priestley (1894 - 1984) was born in Yorkshire, and read English literature at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He was an author, novelist, playwright, prolific essayist, broadcaster, scriptwriter, social commentator and man of letters. His best-known play, An Inspector Calls, is currently touring the UK in an award-winning production directed by Stephen Daldry. Valerie Grove has been a journalist for fifty ... Read moreyears, writing recently about Priestley in the New Statesman (2014) and the Guardian Review (2015). She has been on the staff of the Evening Standard, The Sunday Times and The Times, as an interviewer, reviewer and columnist. Her books include the biographies of Dodie Smith, Laurie Lee, John Mortimer and Kaye Webb. She is a Tynesider by origin - but has lived in London since adolescence. Show Less