Lillian “Lilly” Hellman

Lillian “Lilly” Hellman

Lillian “Lilly” Florence Hellman (June 20, 1905 – June 30, 1984) was an American dramatist and screenwriter known for her success as a playwright on Broadway, as well as her left-wing sympathies and political activism. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, into a Jewish family, she was famously blacklisted by the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) at the height of the anti-communist campaigns of 1947–52. Although she continued to work on Broadway in the 1950s, her blacklisting by the American film industry caused a precipitous decline in her income during which time she had to work outside her chosen profession. Hellman was praised by many for refusing to answer questions by HUAC. Lillian Hellman’s papers are held by the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Her archive includes an extensive collection of manuscript drafts, contracts, correspondence, scrapbooks, speeches, teaching notes, awards, legal documents, appointment books, and honorary degrees. 32 of Lillian Hellman’s 50 years as a writer were devoted primarily to writing for the theatre.

Lilly’s Quotes

• “People change and forget to tell each other.”
• “I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year’s fashions.”
• “Cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth.”
• “I like people who refuse to speak until they are ready to speak.”
• “Since when do you have to agree with people to defend them from injustice?”

Source: thelillyawards.org