By 1959, Tennessee Williams had gathered himself a nice collection of two Pulitzer Prizes, three New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards, three Donaldson Awards, and one Tony Award. It was in 1944-1945 that he first received widespread recognition for his work when The Glass Menagerie moved from Chicago to New York and became an instant hit on Broadway. When A Streetcar Named Desire was performed in 1947, Williams secured himself the public's view that he was a great play-write. Despite this, Williams himself struggled with the fear that he would be unable to duplicate his success and moved often in hopes of stimulating his creative spirit; he lived in many cities, including New York, New Orleans, Key West, Rome, Barcelona, and London.
Aside from his fear of failure, Tennessee Williams fought many an internal battle against alcoholism, drug dependence, and homosexuality. The latter he managed to overcome and spent different amounts of time with various partners, dedicating the most of himself to Frank Merlo who he was with for fourteen years. Williams' sister Rose had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and underwent a lobotomy in 1943 following increasingly erratic behaviour; the lobotomy went badly, and Williams often feared he would turn out like his sister. Merlo comforted him through his, and Williams continued to love and visit his sister. Rose received a percentage of royalties from his plays that helped pay for her care.
When Frank Merlo died in 1963, Williams' drug problems spiraled out of control and he spent many years flitting in and out of hospitals and mental health institutes. He eventually died in 1983. There is some degree of uncertainty regarding exactly how it happened but all suggested theories involve his drug abuse.
Aside from his fear of failure, Tennessee Williams fought many an internal battle against alcoholism, drug dependence, and homosexuality. The latter he managed to overcome and spent different amounts of time with various partners, dedicating the most of himself to Frank Merlo who he was with for fourteen years. Williams' sister Rose had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and underwent a lobotomy in 1943 following increasingly erratic behaviour; the lobotomy went badly, and Williams often feared he would turn out like his sister. Merlo comforted him through his, and Williams continued to love and visit his sister. Rose received a percentage of royalties from his plays that helped pay for her care.
When Frank Merlo died in 1963, Williams' drug problems spiraled out of control and he spent many years flitting in and out of hospitals and mental health institutes. He eventually died in 1983. There is some degree of uncertainty regarding exactly how it happened but all suggested theories involve his drug abuse.