Naughton, Bill (1910-1992)

Irish-born author and playwright. His best-known collections of short stories include Late Night on Watling Street (1959) and The Goalkeeper's Revenge (1961), both collections firmly set in the Lancashire industrial landscape and written with the realism that marked his style. His best-known work for the stage and screen is the play Alfie (1963), which was filmed in 1966.

Born in County Mayo, Ireland, Naughton moved with his family to Bolton, England, in 1914. After leaving school, he had a series of menial jobs and began writing short stories for magazines and newspapers. In 1939 he moved to London, working as a civil defence driver, and also writing plays and short stories, many of which were broadcast on BBC radio and television. His radio play A June Evening was broadcast on television in 1960; its realistic working-class setting distinguished it and came to typify Naughton's style.

Besides Alfie, Naughton wrote a number of successful stage plays, including All in Good Time (1962 ), and Spring and Port Wine (1967). All three were performed in London's West End and subsequently New York's Broadway. Naughton won the Screenwriters award in 1967 and 1968. Later, Naughton settled on the Isle of Man, continuing to write radio plays, adaptations, children's books, and his autobiography.