Bill Naughton

William John Francis "Bill" Naughton (12 June 1910 – 9 January 1992) was an Irish-born British playwright, screenwriter and novelist, best known for his 1963 play Alfie.

Early life Naughton was born William John Francis Naughton on 12 June 1910 in the townland of Devlis in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo to Thomas Naughton (1873–1957), a shopkeeper and railway worker, and Maria Naughton (; 1875–1949). Educated at Saint Peter and Paul's School, Naughton left school when he was 14 years old and began working in a weaving shed. Naughton played a key role in providing information about the families he visited for Wagner's studies on the emotional substructure of working class life. During the study Naughton and Wagner began an affair.

His novel Alfie Darling, the sequel to his earlier novel and play, was also filmed, with Alan Price succeeding Michael Caine in the lead role. Both Alfie and Alfie Darling were drawn upon for the 2004 film with Jude Law in the eponymous role.

His work also includes the novel One Small Boy (1957), and the collection of short stories The Goalkeeper's Revenge And Other Stories (1961). His 1977 children's novel My Pal Spadger is an account of his childhood in 1920s Bolton. His wife died in 2014 aged 85.

Many of his plays were performed at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton. An 85-seat adaptable studio theatre within the Octagon is named after him.

Personal life Naughton married Ernestine "Erna" Naughton (née Pirolt; 1929–2014), an Austrian nurse and later patron of the Kenny/Naughton Autumn School, on 9 September 1952.

On 9 January 1992, Naughton died aged 81 in Ballasalla, Isle of Man. A "Bill Naughton Short Story Competition", administered by The Kenny/Naughton Autumn School, was named in his honour.

Awards During his lifetime, he received the following awards: Screenwriters Guide Award (1967 and 1968) Italia Prize for Radio Play (1974) Children's Rights Workshop Other Award (1978) Portico Literary Prize (1987) The Hon. Fellowship, Bolton Institute of Higher Education (1988).