Robert E. Lee

Robert E. Lee was an American playwright and librettist best known for his long-standing collaboration with fellow writer Jerome Lawrence. Born in Elyria, Ohio, Lee developed an early interest in theatre and storytelling, later studying at Ohio Wesleyan University and earning his degree from the University of Michigan. His path to the stage was interrupted by World War II, where he served in the Army Air Forces, honing his skills in writing and production for military training films.

Lee’s most famous works emerged from his partnership with Lawrence, beginning with the wartime radio series The Curtain Rises. Together they created enduring plays that combined historical subjects with thought-provoking social commentary. Their most celebrated piece, Inherit the Wind (1955), dramatized the famous Scopes “Monkey” Trial and became a classic of modern American theatre.

The duo’s success continued with Auntie Mame (1956), adapted from Patrick Dennis’s novel, which ran for over 600 performances on Broadway and spawned a popular film adaptation. They also created The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail (1970), a poetic meditation on civil disobedience inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s life.

In addition to the stage, Lee worked extensively in television and film, adapting many of their plays for the screen. His writing combined wit, strong character development, and a keen sense of moral inquiry, earning him a place among the most respected dramatists of his era.

Robert E. Lee died in 1994 at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy of plays that continue to challenge and inspire audiences with their relevance and humanity.