William Inge was an American playwright and novelist, born on May 3, 1913, in Independence, Kansas. He is best known for his works that explore themes of loneliness and the complexities of human relationships. Some of his most famous plays include Picnic, Bus Stop, and The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, which received critical acclaim and contributed to his reputation in American theater. Inge's writing often reflects the struggles of ordinary people in small-town America. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1953 for his play Picnic, which highlights the tension between societal expectations and personal desires. Inge's influence on American theater continues to be recognized today.