George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright, critic, and polemicist known for his wit, humor, and social commentary. He was a prominent figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is best known for his plays, including "Pygmalion" and "Saint Joan." Shaw was also a co-founder of the London School of Economics and a strong advocate for social reform and equality. His works often challenged societal norms and conventions, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925 for his contribution to literature.