1. Overview
John Boynton Priestley, OMOrder of MeritEnglish (1894-1984), was a prominent English novelist, playwright, screenwriter, broadcaster, and social commentator whose work deeply reflected his Yorkshire background and often explored complex themes of time and social justice. He gained widespread public recognition with his novel The Good Companions (1929) and became equally renowned as a dramatist, with plays like An Inspector Calls (1945) becoming staples of the British stage. Priestley's plays frequently incorporated time slip concepts, leading him to develop his own unique theories on time, linking past, present, and future.
During World War II, Priestley was an influential voice on the BBC, delivering a series of short "Postscript" radio talks that were widely credited with bolstering civilian morale during the Battle of Britain. His outspoken left-wing views, however, eventually led to conflicts with the government, yet they significantly influenced the development of the welfare state and contributed to the Labour Party's landslide victory in the 1945 general election. A co-founder of the socialist Common Wealth Party and a founding member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), Priestley consistently engaged with social and political issues, advocating for progressive change. His contributions were recognized with the Order of Merit in 1977, though he famously declined other honors.
2. Early Life and Background
J.B. Priestley's early life in Bradford, his experiences in World War I, and his subsequent university education profoundly shaped his literary and political perspectives.
2.1. Childhood and Education
John Boynton Priestley was born on September 13, 1894, at 34 Mannheim Road, Manningham, a suburb of Bradford that he described as "extremely respectable." His father, Jonathan Priestley (1868-1924), was a headmaster, while his mother, Emma (née Holt; 1865-1896), was a mill girl who died when Priestley was just two years old. His father remarried four years later.
Priestley received his education at Belle Vue Grammar School. At the age of 16, he left school to begin working as a junior clerk at Helm & Co. in the Swan Arcade from 1910 to 1914. During these years, he began writing at night, successfully publishing articles in both local and London newspapers. His memories of Bradford, particularly the city's Victorian buildings like the Swan Arcade where he had his first job, would later feature prominently in many of his works, including Bright Day and When We Are Married. In his later years, he expressed regret over the destruction of these historic buildings by developers.
2.2. World War I Service
Priestley's service in the British Army during the First World War was a formative and harrowing experience. He volunteered for the Duke of Wellington's Regiment on September 7, 1914, and was deployed to France as a Lance-Corporal with the 10th Battalion on August 26, 1915.
In June 1916, he was severely wounded when he was buried alive by a trench mortar. This injury led to many months of recovery in military hospitals and convalescent facilities. On January 26, 1918, he was commissioned as an officer in the Devonshire Regiment and returned to France in the late summer. As detailed in his literary reminiscences, Margin Released, he suffered the effects of poison gas and subsequently supervised German prisoners of war before being demobilized in early 1919.
2.3. University and Early Career
Following his military service, Priestley pursued a university education at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He was part of the inaugural cohort of students to study the newly established English Tripos, later transferring to History for Part II, and earning an upper-second class degree in 1921.
By the age of 30, Priestley had established a strong reputation as an essayist and critic. His novel Benighted (1927) was adapted into the James Whale film The Old Dark House (1932), and the novel was subsequently published in the United States under the film's title.
3. Literary and Dramatic Career
J.B. Priestley's career was marked by prolific output across various literary forms, from popular novels and influential plays to screenplays and insightful literary criticism, showcasing his versatility and intellectual breadth.
3.1. Novels
Priestley's first major literary success came with the novel The Good Companions (1929), which not only earned him the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction but also propelled him into national prominence. His subsequent novel, Angel Pavement (1930), further solidified his reputation as a successful novelist. However, not all critical reception was positive; Priestley notably threatened legal action against Graham Greene over what he perceived as a defamatory portrayal of him in Greene's novel Stamboul Train (1932).
His deep love for classical music, particularly chamber music, is reflected in several of his works, most notably in his own favorite novel, Bright Day (1946). Other significant novels include Adam in Moonshine (1927), Faraway (1932), Wonder Hero (1933), Albert Goes Through (1933), They Walk in the City (1936), The Doomsday Men (1937), Let the People Sing (1939), Blackout in Gretley (1942), Daylight on Saturday (1943), Three Men in New Suits (1945), Jenny Villiers (1947), Festival at Farbridge (1951), Low Notes on a High Level (1954), The Magicians (1954), Saturn over the Water (1961), The Thirty-First of June (1961), Salt Is Leaving (1961), The Shapes of Sleep (1962), Sir Michael and Sir George (1964), Lost Empires (1965), It's an Old Country (1967), The Image Men Vol. 1: Out of Town (1968), The Image Men Vol. 2: London End (1968), and Found, Lost, Found (1976).
3.2. Plays
Priestley transitioned into a new genre and became equally renowned as a dramatist. Dangerous Corner (1932) was the first of many plays that captivated West End theatre audiences. His most celebrated play is An Inspector Calls (1945), which was later adapted into a 1954 film starring Alastair Sim. Priestley's plays exhibit a more varied tone than his novels, with several, including Dangerous Corner and Time and the Conways (1937), being influenced by J. W. Dunne's theory of time, forming what are known as his "Time Plays." An Inspector Calls is particularly notable for its strong political undertones, incorporating numerous references to socialism, with the "Inspector" often seen as a mouthpiece for Priestley's own views on social responsibility.
Over approximately 30 years of playwriting, Priestley penned nearly 40 dramatic works, establishing himself as one of Britain's most prolific playwrights, second only to George Bernard Shaw in terms of quantity and impact. His diverse theatrical output included fantastical comedies like Laburnum Grove (1933) and Eden End (1934), ambitious experimental works such as Night Music (1938) and Johnson Over Jordan (1938), and the wartime political allegory They Came to a City (1943). Post-war, An Inspector Calls stood out as a suspenseful drama with a strong social message. Although he largely distanced himself from the theatre in the late 1950s, he returned with the distinctive comedic adaptation The Cut-Off Head (1963), co-written from an Iris Murdoch novel. Other significant plays include The Good Companions (1931), Cornelius (1935), Duet in Floodlight (1935), Bees on the Boatdeck (1936), I Have Been Here Before (1937), Mystery of Greenfingers (1937), People at Sea (1937), Two Time Plays (1937), The Long Mirror (1940), Goodnight Children (1942), Desert Highway (1944), How Are They at Home? (1944), Ever Since Paradise (1946), The Rose and Crown (1947), The Linden Tree (1947), Home Is Tomorrow (1948), Bright Shadow (1950), Summer Day's Dream (1949), Mother's Day (1950), The White Countess (1954), Mr. Kettle and Mrs. Moon (1955), and The Glass Cage (1957). He also collaborated with his third wife, Jacquetta Hawkes, on the play Dragon's Mouth (1952).
3.3. Screenplays and Film/Television Work
Priestley made notable contributions to film and television, both through original screenplays and adaptations of his literary works. His novel Benighted (1927) was adapted into the 1932 film The Old Dark House.
He penned original screenplays for films such as Sing As We Go (1934), co-written with Gordon Wellesley, and Look Up and Laugh (1935). He also wrote and presented documentary short subjects like We Live in Two Worlds (1937) and Britain at Bay (1940). Priestley contributed additional dialogue to Alfred Hitchcock's 1939 film Jamaica Inn. For the 1944 film adaptation of his own play, They Came to a City, he co-wrote the screenplay with Basil Dearden and Sidney Cole, and also served as the story's narrator. In 1950, he wrote and produced the film Last Holiday.
His works were frequently adapted for the screen and television. Notable adaptations include:
- An Inspector Calls (1954 film, 1982 TV adaptation, and a 2015 BBC production).
- Soviet films based on his plays and novels: Opasnyi povorot (1972, from Dangerous Corner), On prishyol (1972, from An Inspector Calls), Beshennoe zoloto (1976, from Treasure on Pelican), 31 iyunya (1978, from The Thirty-First of June), Inspektor Gull (1979, from An Inspector Calls), Skandal'noe proishestvie v Brikmille (1980, from The Scandalous Affair of Mr. Kettle and Mrs. Moon), Vremya i sem'ya Konvei (1984, from Time and the Conways), and Prizraki zelenoi komnaty (1991, from Jenny Villiers).
- Television series adaptations include You Know What People Are (1955), Armchair Theatre: Now Let Him Go (1957), Doomsday for Dyson (1958), Out of the Unknown: Level Seven (1966, an adaptation of a story by Mordecai Roshwald), The Wednesday Play: Anyone for Tennis? (1968), and Shadows: The Other Window (1975), which he co-wrote with Jacquetta Hawkes. His novel Lost Empires was also adapted into a television series in 1986.
3.4. Literary Criticism and Essays
Priestley's intellectual curiosity extended to literary analysis and essay writing, where he offered insightful commentary on various subjects. His works of literary criticism include The English Comic Characters (1925), The English Novel (1927), and Charles Dickens and his world (1969).
A significant work in this category is Literature and Western Man (1960), a comprehensive 500 pages survey of Western literature spanning from the second half of the 15th century to the mid-20th century, concluding with an analysis of Thomas Wolfe.
His collections of essays include Essays of To-day and Yesterday (1926), Apes and Angels (1928), The Balconinny (1931), Delight (1949), Thoughts in the wilderness (1957), The Moments and Other Pieces (1966), Over the Long High Wall (1972), The Happy Dream (1976), and Instead of the Trees (1977).
3.5. Other Fiction and Poetry
Beyond his major novels and plays, Priestley also contributed to other forms of fiction and produced poetry. His other fictional works include Farthing Hall (1929), a novel written in collaboration with Hugh Walpole, and I'll Tell You Everything (1932), co-authored with Gerald Bullett. He published the short story The Town Major of Miraucourt in 1930 in a limited edition. Collections of his short stories include The Other Place (1952) and The Carfitt Crisis (1975), which also contained two novellas. He also wrote a novel for children, Snoggle (1971).
Additionally, Ruth Mitchell, Priestley's sister-in-law through his second marriage, novelized two of his plays:
- Dangerous Corner (1933)
- Laburnum Grove (1936)
Priestley's poetic contributions include the collection The Chapman of Rhymes (1918).
4. Broadcasting and Social Commentary
J.B. Priestley played a crucial role as a broadcaster and social commentator, particularly during World War II, where his influential radio talks significantly impacted public morale and political discourse.
During the Second World War, Priestley became a regular and highly popular broadcaster on the BBC. His "Postscript" talks, broadcast on Sunday nights in 1940 and again in 1941, attracted peak audiences of 16 million listeners, a listenership surpassed only by Winston Churchill. Graham Greene notably observed that Priestley "became in the months after Dunkirk a leader second only in importance to Mr Churchill. And he gave us what our other leaders have always failed to give us-an ideology." However, his talks were eventually cancelled. While it was initially believed that Churchill himself complained about their left-wing leanings, Priestley's son later clarified in 2015 that it was Churchill's Cabinet that orchestrated the cancellation by providing negative reports on the broadcasts. This incident highlights the political sensitivity of his commentary and the establishment's discomfort with his progressive views.
As a social commentator, Priestley authored several works reflecting his observations and analyses of society. His travelogue English Journey (1934) provided a detailed account of his travels through the country during the depths of the Great Depression, offering a vivid snapshot of Britain's social and economic conditions. Other works of social and political commentary include Out of the people (1941), The Secret Dream: an essay on Britain, America and Russia (1946), The Arts under Socialism (1947), The Prince of Pleasure and his Regency (1969), The Edwardians (1970), Victoria's Heyday (1972), The English (1973), and A Visit to New Zealand (1974).
5. Political and Social Engagement
J.B. Priestley's strong political convictions and active engagement with social movements defined a significant part of his public life, aligning him firmly with progressive and socialist ideals.
His left-wing beliefs were evident throughout his career. He chaired the 1941 Committee and, in 1942, co-founded the socialist Common Wealth Party. The political content embedded in his broadcasts and his vision for a new, transformed Britain after the war profoundly influenced the political climate of the era. These contributions are widely credited with helping the Labour Party secure its historic landslide victory in the 1945 general election. Despite his significant influence on the Labour Party's success, Priestley himself maintained a distrust of the state and dogma, although he did stand for the Cambridge University constituency in 1945.
In March 1949, Priestley's name appeared on Orwell's list, a document prepared by George Orwell for the Information Research Department (IRD), a propaganda unit established by the Labour government at the Foreign Office. Orwell considered or suspected individuals on this list of having pro-communist leanings, deeming them unsuitable for writing for the IRD. This inclusion underscores the perception of his strong left-wing stance during the early Cold War period.
Priestley was also a founding member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) in 1958, demonstrating his commitment to peace and his opposition to nuclear weapons. In 1964, he joined the Who Killed Kennedy Committee?, established by Bertrand Russell, further illustrating his engagement with significant political and social issues of his time.
6. Philosophy and Theories of Time
Priestley's profound interest in the nature of time led him to develop unique theories on human existence and the interconnectedness of past, present, and future, which he explored extensively in his writings.
His interest in the "problem of time" culminated in the publication of his extended essay Man and Time (1964). In this work, Priestley delved deeply into various philosophical theories and beliefs about time, presenting his own research and unique conclusions. A notable aspect of the book was his analysis of the phenomenon of precognitive dreaming, which was based in part on a broad collection of experiences gathered from the British public. These experiences were enthusiastically submitted in response to a televised appeal he made during an interview on the BBC programme Monitor in 1963. The book was published by Aldus as a companion to Carl Jung's Man and His Symbols, highlighting its intellectual depth and interdisciplinary appeal.
Priestley's fascination with time also significantly influenced his dramatic works, particularly his "Time Plays." Plays such as Dangerous Corner (1932) and Time and the Conways (1937) incorporate elements of J. W. Dunne's serialism, exploring how different temporal dimensions can link past, present, and future within their plots.
7. Personal Life
J.B. Priestley's personal life was marked by his passion for music, his relationships, and his distinctive approach to public honors.
Priestley held a deep affection for classical music, especially chamber music. This passion is evident in several of his works, including his favorite novel, Bright Day (1946). His book Trumpets Over the Sea is subtitled "a rambling and egotistical account of the London Symphony Orchestra's engagement at Daytona Beach, Florida, in July-August 1967," further illustrating his musical interests. In 1941, he played a crucial role in organizing and supporting a fund-raising campaign for the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which was striving to become a self-governing entity after Thomas Beecham's withdrawal. In 1949, the opera The Olympians, for which Priestley wrote the libretto, premiered with music by Arthur Bliss.
Throughout his life, Priestley maintained a distinctive stance on public recognition. He famously declined the offer to become a life peer in 1965 and also refused an appointment as a Companion of Honour in 1969. However, he did accept membership in the prestigious Order of Merit in 1977. He also served as a British delegate to UNESCO conferences, reflecting his engagement with international cultural and educational initiatives. In a 1972 reflection, Priestley described himself as "lusty" and someone who "enjoyed the physical relations with the sexes-[...] without the feelings of guilt which seems to disturb some of my distinguished colleagues," indicating his candid approach to personal relationships. He was known to have had several affairs, including a serious relationship with the actress Peggy Ashcroft.
7.1. Marriages and Family
Priestley was married three times and had several children.
His first marriage was in 1921 to Emily "Pat" Tempest, a music-loving librarian from Bradford. Together, they had two daughters: Barbara, born in 1923, who later became known as the architect Barbara Wykeham; and Sylvia, born in 1924, who became a designer known as Sylvia Goaman after her marriage to Michael Goaman. Tragically, Emily died of cancer in 1925.
In September 1926, Priestley married Jane Wyndham-Lewis, the former wife of the "Beachcomber" columnist D. B. Wyndham-Lewis. With Jane, he had two daughters, including the music therapist Mary Priestley (conceived in 1924 while Jane was still married to D.B. Wyndham-Lewis), and one son, the film editor Tom Priestley. During the Second World War, Jane managed several residential nurseries for evacuated mothers and their children, many of whom came from impoverished districts. For much of their married life, they resided at 3 The Grove in Highgate, a historic property that was formerly the home of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Priestley and Jane divorced in 1953. Later that year, he married his third wife, the archaeologist and writer Jacquetta Hawkes. They collaborated on the play Dragon's Mouth. In his later life, the couple lived in Alveston, Warwickshire, near Stratford-upon-Avon.
8. Death
J.B. Priestley died on August 14, 1984, due to pneumonia, just one month shy of his ninetieth birthday. His ashes were interred in the churchyard of the Church of St Michael and All Angels in Hubberholme, located at the head of Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The exact location of his ashes within the churchyard has never been publicly disclosed and is known only to the three individuals who were present at the burial, including Dr. Brian Hoyle Thompson and his wife. A plaque inside the church simply states that his ashes are buried "nearby." Photographs exist that depict the interment, clearly showing a brass plate on the box containing the ashes inscribed with "J. B. Priestley."
9. Legacy and Critical Evaluation
J.B. Priestley's legacy is multifaceted, encompassing his significant literary output, his influential role as a public intellectual, and his enduring impact on British society and politics. His work continues to be evaluated for its artistic merit, social commentary, and philosophical depth.
9.1. Critical Reception and Controversies
Priestley's work received a range of critical responses throughout his career. While novels like The Good Companions were met with widespread acclaim, some critics were less favorable towards his other works, leading him to threaten legal action against Graham Greene over a perceived defamatory portrayal in Stamboul Train.
A notable controversy surrounding Priestley involves his perceived prejudice against the Irish, which is particularly evident in his 1934 travelogue, English Journey. In this work, he wrote: "A great many speeches have been made and books written on the subject of what England has done to Ireland... I should be interested to hear a speech and read a book or two on the subject of what Ireland has done to England... if we do have an Irish Republic as our neighbour, and it is found possible to return her exiled citizens, what a grand clearance there will be in all the western ports, from the Clyde to Cardiff, what a fine exit of ignorance and dirt and drunkenness and disease." This passage has been widely cited as an example of his problematic views on the Irish, reflecting a historical bias that contrasts with his otherwise progressive social stances.
Priestley also engaged in intellectual debates, notably criticizing George Bernard Shaw in a 1940 essay for Horizon magazine for Shaw's support of Joseph Stalin. Priestley stated, "Shaw presumes that his friend Stalin has everything under control. Well, Stalin may have made special arrangements to see that Shaw comes to no harm, but the rest of us in Western Europe do not feel quite so sure of our fate, especially those of us who do not share Shaw's curious admiration for dictators." This highlights Priestley's critical stance against totalitarianism, even from figures on the left.
9.2. Honors and Public Recognition
J.B. Priestley received numerous honors and public recognitions throughout his life, though he notably declined several prestigious appointments.
He was awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction in 1929 for his novel The Good Companions. His strong ties to his hometown were recognized when the University of Bradford awarded him the title of honorary Doctor of Letters in 1970, and he received the Freedom of the City of Bradford in 1973. The J. B. Priestley Library at the University of Bradford was named in his honor, and he officially opened it in 1975. A larger-than-life statue of Priestley, commissioned by the Bradford City Council after his death, now stands prominently in front of the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford, commemorating his connection to the city.
Despite these accolades, Priestley famously declined the opportunity to become a life peer in 1965 and also turned down an appointment as a Companion of Honour in 1969. However, he did accept membership in the distinguished Order of Merit (OM) in 1977, one of the highest honors in the United Kingdom. He also served as a British delegate to UNESCO conferences, reflecting his international engagement.
9.3. Lasting Influence
J.B. Priestley's writings and ideas have exerted a lasting influence on subsequent generations of writers, artists, and society, particularly through his social commentary and his innovative approach to dramatic structure.
His political content and his vision for a new, post-war Britain significantly shaped the political landscape of the 1940s, playing a role in the Labour Party's electoral success in 1945. His commitment to social justice and the welfare state resonated deeply with the public. His "Postscript" radio broadcasts during World War II are remembered as powerful examples of public morale-boosting and insightful social commentary that transcended mere propaganda.
The "Time Plays," particularly An Inspector Calls, continue to be widely performed and studied, not only for their theatrical innovation but also for their enduring relevance as social critiques. The play's exploration of collective responsibility and the consequences of individual actions remains a powerful message. His philosophical inquiries into the nature of time, as articulated in Man and Time, demonstrate his intellectual depth and his unique contribution to discussions on human perception and existence. Priestley's ability to combine popular storytelling with serious social and philosophical themes ensures his continued relevance in literary and cultural discourse.
10. Archives and Collections
Major archives and collections holding J.B. Priestley's papers and manuscripts are available for researchers and enthusiasts.
The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin began acquiring Priestley's papers in 1960, with further additions made throughout his lifetime. As of 2016, the collection comprises 23 boxes, including original manuscripts for many of his works and an extensive series of correspondence. The center continues to expand this collection through gifts and purchases.
The University of Bradford Library houses the J. B. Priestley Archive as part of their Special Collections. This collection includes a wide range of materials such as scripts, journal articles, lectures, press cuttings, correspondence, and photographs. It also features personal objects, including Priestley's iconic pipe. Most of the material in this collection was generously donated by the Priestley Estate.
11. Bibliography
This section provides a comprehensive catalog of J.B. Priestley's published works, categorized by genre.
11.1. Novels
- Adam in Moonshine (1927)
- Benighted (1927) (filmed as The Old Dark House)
- The Good Companions (1929)
- Angel Pavement (1930)
- Faraway (1932)
- Wonder Hero (1933)
- Albert Goes Through (1933)
- They Walk in the City: The Lovers in the Stone Forest (1936)
- The Doomsday Men (1937)
- Let the People Sing (1939)
- Blackout in Gretley (1942)
- Daylight on Saturday (1943)
- Three Men in New Suits (1945)
- Bright Day (1946)
- Jenny Villiers (1947)
- Festival at Farbridge (1951)
- Low Notes on a High Level (1954)
- The Magicians (1954)
- Saturn over the Water (1961)
- The Thirty-First of June (1961)
- Salt Is Leaving (1961)
- The Shapes of Sleep (1962)
- Sir Michael and Sir George (1964)
- Lost Empires (1965)
- It's an Old Country (1967)
- The Image Men Vol. 1: Out of Town (1968)
- The Image Men Vol. 2: London End (1968)
- Found, Lost, Found (1976)
11.2. Other Fiction
- Farthing Hall (1929) (Novel written in collaboration with Hugh Walpole)
- The Town Major of Miraucourt (1930) (Short story published in a limited edition of 525 copies)
- I'll Tell You Everything (1932) (Novel written in collaboration with Gerald Bullett)
- The Other Place (1952) (Short Stories)
- Snoggle (1971) (Novel for children)
- The Carfitt Crisis (1975) (Two novellas and a short story)
- Novelizations by Ruth Mitchell (Priestley's sister-in-law):
- Dangerous Corner (1933)
- Laburnum Grove (1936)
11.3. Plays
- The Roundabout (1931)
- The Good Companions (1931)
- Dangerous Corner (1932)
- Laburnum Grove (1933)
- Eden End (1934)
- Cornelius (1935)
- Duet in Floodlight (1935)
- People at Sea (1936)
- Bees on the Boat Deck (1936)
- Time and the Conways (1937)
- I Have Been Here Before (1937)
- Mystery of Greenfingers (1937)
- When We Are Married (1938)
- Johnson Over Jordan (1939)
- The Long Mirror (1940)
- Goodnight Children (1942)
- They Came to a City (1943)
- Desert Highway (1944)
- How Are They at Home? (1944)
- An Inspector Calls (1945)
- Ever Since Paradise (1946)
- The Rose and Crown (1947)
- The Linden Tree (1947)
- Home Is Tomorrow (1948)
- Bright Shadow (1950)
- Summer Day's Dream (1949)
- Mother's Day (1950)
- Dragon's Mouth (1952) (co-authored with Jacquetta Hawkes)
- Private Rooms (1953)
- Treasure on Pelican (1953)
- The White Countess (1954)
- Mr. Kettle and Mrs. Moon (1955)
- The Glass Cage (1957)
- Benighted (2016, adapted from his 1928 novel by Duncan Gates)
11.4. Screenplays and Film/Television Work
- Sing As We Go (1934) (screenplay with Gordon Wellesley)
- Look Up and Laugh (1935) (screenplay)
- We Live in Two Worlds (1937) (a documentary short subject, written and presented by Priestley)
- Jamaica Inn (1939) (additional dialogue)
- Britain at Bay (1940) (a documentary short subject, written and presented by Priestley)
- They Came to a City (1944) (screenplay with Basil Dearden and Sidney Cole, based on his play; Priestley also appears as the story's narrator)
- Last Holiday (1950) (screenplay and producer)
- You Know What People Are (1955) (television)
- Armchair Theatre: Now Let Him Go (ABC - 15 September 1957) (television)
- Doomsday for Dyson (Granada - 10 March 1958) (television)
- Out of the Unknown: Level Seven (BBC2 - 27 October 1966, adaptation of a story by Mordecai Roshwald) (television)
- The Wednesday Play: Anyone for Tennis? (BBC1 - 25 September 1968) (television)
- Shadows: The Other Window (Thames - 15 October 1975, co-written with Jacquetta Hawkes) (television)
- An Inspector Calls (several versions including BBC - 2015) (television)
- Opasnyi povorot (1972) (Soviet film based on Dangerous Corner)
- On prishyol (1972) (Soviet film based on An Inspector Calls)
- Beshennoe zoloto (1976) (Soviet film based on Treasure on Pelican)
- 31 iyunya (1978) (Soviet film based on The Thirty-First of June)
- Inspektor Gull (1979) (Soviet film based on An Inspector Calls)
- Skandal'noe proishestvie v Brikmille (1980) (Soviet film based on The Scandalous Affair of Mr. Kettle and Mrs. Moon)
- Vremya i sem'ya Konvei (1984) (Soviet film based on Time and the Conways)
- Lost Empires (1986) (television series adaptation)
- Prizraki zelenoi komnaty (1991) (Soviet film based on Jenny Villiers)
11.5. Literary Criticism
- Brief Diversions (1922)
- Papers from Lilliput (1922)
- The English Comic Characters (1925)
- The English Novel (1927)
- Open House (1927)
- English Humour (1929)
- Self-selected Essays (1932)
- Literature and Western Man (1960)
- Charles Dickens and his world (1969)
- Particular Pleasures (1975)
11.6. Social and Political Works
- English Journey (1934)
- Out of the people (1941)
- British Women Go To War (1943)
- The Secret Dream: an essay on Britain, America and Russia (1946)
- The Arts under Socialism (1947)
- The Prince of Pleasure and his Regency (1969)
- The Edwardians (1970)
- Victoria's Heyday (1972)
- The English (1973)
- A Visit to New Zealand (1974)
11.7. Autobiography and Essays
- Essays of To-day and Yesterday (1926)
- Apes and Angels (1928)
- The Balconinny (1931)
- Midnight on the Desert (1937)
- Rain Upon Godshill: A Further Chapter of Autobiography (1939)
- Postscripts (1940)
- Delight (1949)
- Journey Down a Rainbow (co-authored with Jacquetta Hawkes, 1955)
- Thoughts in the wilderness (1957)
- Margin Released (1962)
- Man and Time (1964)
- The Moments and Other Pieces (1966)
- Over the Long High Wall (1972)
- The Happy Dream (Limited edition, 1976)
- Instead of the Trees (1977)
11.8. Poetry
- The Chapman of Rhymes (1918)