Bolt, Robert (Oxton) (1924–1995)

English dramatist and screenwriter. He wrote historical plays, such as A Man for All Seasons (1960; filmed 1966); his screenplays include Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Dr Zhivago (1965) (both Academy Awards), Ryan's Daughter (1970), Lady Caroline Lamb (1972), which he also directed, The Bounty (1984), and The Mission (1986).

Bolt attended Manchester University, and for several years taught English and history in secondary schools. He was 33 when the success of one of his earliest plays, Flowering Cherry (1957) – which starred English actors Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson in its first run at the Haymarket Theatre, London – persuaded him to become a full-time writer.

Widely considered his most important play, A Man for All Seasons deals with the tragic relationship between Henry VIII and Sir Thomas More, and illustrates Bolt's ability to dramatize political and moral issues using a clear dramatic structure, strong characterization, and expressive dialogue. Later plays were less successful, though Vivat! Vivat Regina! (1970) again illustrates his ability to bring history vividly to life, and Revolution (1977), a critical but not popular success, shows Bolt's continued willingness to tackle intellectually ambitious works.