ABSTRACT:

This year, 2020, is a time to celebrate the exceptional benefaction of George Bernard Shaw to the National Gallery of Ireland. For seventy years the Gallery has enjoyed the fruits of his enduring success. This is based upon his writings, the multiple performances of his plays, and in particular the success of My Fair Lady. In his will he assigned one-third of his royalties to the Gallery after his death in 1950. The other part is split evenly between RADA and the British Museum in the United Kingdom. This year is, of course, also a year to lament. The period of copyright lapses and no more royalties will come our way. Even sadder, for the first time ever there were no payments this summer, as the pandemic closed theaters across the world. This piece explores Shaw's magnificent contribution to the Gallery and encourages philanthropy to cultural institutions.

You do not currently have access to this content.