James Crawford

James Crawford (6 February 1908 – 11 November 1973) was an Australian playwright and commentator who wrote political plays, feature articles for newspapers and was very involved in many social and political groups. He was best known for his plays Rocket Range and Billets and Badges. Crawford wrote twenty-four plays and twenty-one skits which are known about. Some of the plays were turned into radio dramas. Crawford also wrote numerous newspaper articles in relation to political and social problems at the time which led him to be well respected in the community. Crawford was born in Manchester, England, in 1908 and arrived in Australia in 1924. As a playwright, Crawford was influenced by William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. He was also greatly influenced by the Communist Party of Australia and the ideals it stood for. In an article written by Crawford about Elizabethan Theatre he wrote that "In the Elizabethan Theatre, Marlowe spoke with the voice of the radical intellectual. Shakespeare spoke with the voice of the people." From the themes of the plays written by Crawford it is clear he has tried to emulate both Marlowe and Shakespeare. Crawford was an important member of the Roving Reds Revue Company, New Theatre Club and Realist Writers Group. He also made contributions to several other groups. Crawford also spent time in the Army Services after marrying Ursula Hills in 1938. After his divorce from Ursula, Crawford married Pamela Crawford (née Seeman) in 1949. Crawford continued writing right up until his death at Greenslopes Hospital on 11 November 1973. History