Hugh Callingham Wheeler (19 March 1912 – 26 July 1987) was a British-American novelist, screenwriter,

librettist A libretto (From the Italian word , ) is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major ...

, poet and translator. Born in London, he moved to the United States as a young man, and became a naturalized citizen in 1942. He had attended

London University The University of London (UoL; abbreviated as Lond or more rarely Londin in post-nominals) is a federal public research university located in London, England, United Kingdom. The university was established by royal charter in 1836 as a degr ...

.Hampton, Wilbor
"Hugh Wheeler, Award Winning Playwright"
''New York Times'', 28 July 1987. Under the nom de plume Patrick Quentin, Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge, Wheeler was the author or co-author of many mystery novels and short stories. In 1963, his 1961 collection, ''The Ordeal of Mrs. Snow'' was given a Special

Edgar Award The Edgar Allan Poe Awards, popularly called the Edgars, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America which is based in New York City. Named after American writer Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849), a pioneer in the genre, the awards hon ...

by the

Mystery Writers of America Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is a professional organization of mystery and crime writers, based in New York City. The organization was founded in 1945 by Clayton Rawson, Anthony Boucher, Lawrence Treat, and Brett Halliday. It presents the E ...

. He won the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical in 1973 and 1974 for his books for the musicals '' A Little Night Music'' and ''

Candide ( , ) is a French satire written by Voltaire, a philosopher of the Age of Enlightenment, first published in 1759. The novella has been widely translated, with English versions titled ''Candide: or, All for the Best'' (1759); ''Candide: or, The ...

'', and won both again in 1979 for his book for ''

Sweeney Todd Sweeney Todd is a fictional character who first appeared as the villain of the penny dreadful serial '' The String of Pearls'' (1846–1847). The original tale became a feature of 19th-century melodrama and London legend. A barber from Fleet St ...

''. Wheeler is credited as "research consultant" for the film ''

Cabaret Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music song, dance, recitation, or drama. The performance venue might be a pub, casino, hotel, restaurant, or nightclub with a stage for performances. The audience, often dining or drinking, ...

'', though numerous sources list him as co-writer of the screenplay. A resident of Monterey, Massachusetts, Wheeler died from

respiratory failure Respiratory failure results from inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, meaning that the arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide, or both cannot be kept at normal levels. A drop in the oxygen carried in the blood is known as hypoxemia; a r ...

and

heart failure Heart failure (HF), also known as congestive heart failure (CHF), is a syndrome caused by an impairment in the heart's ability to Cardiac cycle, fill with and pump blood. Although symptoms vary based on which side of the heart is affected, HF ...

at Berkshire Medical Center in

Pittsfield, Massachusetts Pittsfield is the most populous city and the county seat of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the principal city of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Berkshire County. Pittsfi ...

, on 26 July 1987, aged 75.

Stage musical credits

*''

'' (1973) *'' Irene'' (new libretto) (1973) *'' A Little Night Music'' (1973) *'' Truckload (musical)'' (1975) *'' Pacific Overtures'' ("additional material") (1976) *''

'' (1979) (based on a version of the play by Christopher Bond) *'' The Little Prince and the Aviator'' (1982) *'' Meet Me in St. Louis'' (1989)

Plays

*'' Big Fish, Little Fish'' (1961) *'' Look, We've Come Through'' (1961) *'' We Have Always Lived in the Castle'' (1966)

Screenplays

*'' Something for Everyone'' (1970) *'' Travels with My Aunt'' (1972) *'' A Little Night Music'' (1978) *'' Nijinsky'' (1980)

Novels

*''The Crippled Muse'' (1951)

Awards and achievements

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Wheeler, Hugh 1912 births 1987 deaths 20th-century American novelists 20th-century American dramatists and playwrights 20th-century English novelists 20th-century English dramatists and playwrights Alumni of the University of London American mystery writers American musical theatre librettists Deaths from congestive heart failure in the United States Deaths from respiratory failure Drama Desk Award winners Edgar Award winners English emigrants to the United States English musical theatre librettists English mystery writers Naturalized citizens of the United States People from Hampstead Tony Award winners Writers from London