He was educated at Phillips Exeter Academy (1931-35) and at Harvard University, where he received both his A.B. (magna cum laude) in 1939 and his M.A. in 1940.
He was a playwright, novelist, and screenwriter.
President of the New Dramatists Committee, 1955-56; president of the Dramatists Guild, 1971-73; and vice-president, Authors League of America, 1980.
Recipient of a National Theatre Conference prize, 1945; Rockefeller fellowship, 1946; Writers Guild of America award, for screenplay, 1970; ACE award for television, 1991; and election to the Theater Hall of Fame, 1980.