Arthur Miller was born October 17, 1915 in New York City.  He began writing at a very early age, and by the time he graduated from the University of Michigan he had begun to receive recognition as a playwright.  In 1949, after returning to New York, he published his most famous work, Death of A Salesman, a critique of the industry-driven society of the city.  This play received numerous awards for its literary merit, including the Pulitzer Prize for drama.  Many critics regard Death of A Salesman as the perfect embodiment of the modern American drama.  Though some criticize Miller for his colloquial tone and mundane images, Miller's distinctly modern plays continue to find applause among students, teachers, and dramatists.  He would go on to publish The Crucible, an account of the Salem Witch Trials, which in popularity is probably a close second to Death of A Salesman.  Though Miller has more recently tried his hand at novel writing, he is still best known for his thematic plays, which usually comment on the dark nature of contemporary American society.