Pinero, Sir Arthur Wing (pĭnēr`ō), 1855–1934, English dramatist. He achieved initial success with farces, such as The Magistrate (1885), and sentimental comedies, such as Sweet Lavender (1888). However, with The Profligate (1889), he launched his career as a serious social dramatist. In 1893 the production of The Second Mrs. Tanqueray, his best-known work, raised protest because of its sympathetic portrayal of a woman with a questionable past. His later dramas include The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith (1895) and Mid-Channel (1909). All Pinero's plays are noted for their superb craftsmanship. He was knighted in 1909.

Bibliography

See his collected letters, ed. by J. P. Wearing (1974); biography by W. Lazenby (1972).

Pinero, Sir Arthur Wing

(born May 24, 1855, London, Eng.—died Nov. 23, 1934, London) British playwright. He entered the theatrical world as an actor with Henry Irving's theatre company. His first play, £200 a Year, was produced in 1877. He wrote a series of successful farces such as The Magistrate (1885) before turning to dramas of social issues. The Second Mrs. Tanqueray (1893), the first of his plays depicting women confronting their situation in society, established his reputation, and he followed it with works such as The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith (1895) and Trelawny of the “Wells” (1898), becoming the most successful playwright of his time.