J.B. Priestley was an English playwright, novelist, and essayist, born on September 13, 1894, in Bradford, England. He is best known for his plays, particularly An Inspector Calls, which explores themes of social responsibility and morality. Priestley was also a prominent social commentator and used his writing to address issues of his time. In addition to his theatrical work, Priestley wrote several novels and non-fiction books, contributing to literature and public discourse. He was a vocal advocate for social reform and was involved in politics, particularly with the Labour Party. Priestley passed away on August 14, 1984, leaving a lasting legacy in British literature.