Cooper, Giles Stannus (1918-1966)

Irish playwright and actor. Born in Carrickmines, County Dublin, he was the author of several stage plays, but was particularly noted for his radio and television dramas, which include Mathry Beacon (1956), Unman, Wittering and Zigo (1958), and The Long House (1965).

The style of Cooper's plays was largely naturalistic, treating the shortcomings of modern society, but he also incorporated some elements of fantasy in his works. As well as producing original writing, he adapted the work of other authors, such as Victor Hugo and Evelyn Waugh, for television.

In 1978, the annual Giles Cooper award for the best radio script was jointly inaugurated by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Methuen publishers.