William Inge

William Motter Inge (; May 3, 1913 – June 10, 1973) was an American playwright and novelist, whose works typically feature solitary protagonists encumbered with strained sexual relations. With his portraits of small-town life and settings rooted in the American heartland, Inge became known as the "Playwright of the Midwest". During the early 1950s, Inge had a string of memorable Broadway productions, including Picnic, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. He was also nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play twice, for Bus Stop and The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.