Ernest Gébler facts for kids
Ernest Gébler (born December 31, 1914 – died January 26, 1998) was an Irish writer. He was sometimes known as Ernie Gebler. Ernest Gébler was also a member of Aosdána, a special group for Irish artists.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Ernest Gébler was born in Dublin, Ireland. He was one of five children. His father, Adolf Gébler, was a shopkeeper and musician from the Czech Republic. His mother was a theatre usherette from Dublin.
In 1925, Ernest's family moved to Wolverhampton, England. Later, in 1930, his father found a job with a light opera company back in Dublin. Ernest followed his family to Dublin in 1931. During the 1930s, he worked backstage at the famous Gate Theatre.
Writing Career and Family Life
Ernest Gébler's writing career started in 1946 with his first novel. He became more successful with his novel The Plymouth Adventure (1950). This book was even made into a Hollywood film.
He first married Leatrice Gilbert, who was the daughter of actors John Gilbert and Leatrice Joy. They met in Hollywood. The couple moved to Ireland, got married, and later divorced in 1951. Leatrice then returned to America.
In 1952, while in Dublin, Gébler met Edna O'Brien, who would also become a famous novelist. At the time, she was working in a pharmacy. Despite some family objections, they moved to England and married in 1954. They made their home at Lake Park House in County Wicklow, Ireland.
Ernest and Edna had two sons, Karl (who later became Carlo) and Sasha. Carlo became a writer, and Sasha became an architect. The family's house was sold in 1955 to the poet Richard Murphy. Ernest Gébler helped Edna O'Brien by introducing her to her first publisher. Her writing career grew very quickly after her first novel, The Country Girls, came out in 1960.
Ernest and Edna separated in 1964 and divorced in 1968. Edna O'Brien gained full care of their children. Ernest Gébler moved back to Dublin in 1970. He also owned farmland near Lough Owel and became friends with his neighbor, the writer J. P. Donleavy.
Later Years and Passing
After a fall at his home, Ernest Gébler needed care. His house in Dalkey, a suburb of Dublin, was sold. He spent the last seven years of his life at Grove Nursing Home in Killiney, Dublin. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 83. He had been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years and died from a bronchial infection.
Major Works
| Title | Type | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| He Had My Heart Scalded | novel | 1946 | |
| The Voyage of the Mayflower | novel | 1950 | This historical novel was about the 1620 voyage of the Mayflower ship. It sold five million copies! It was made into the film Plymouth Adventure in 1952, starring Spencer Tracy. |
| She Sits Smiling | play | 1954 | First shown at the Pike Theatre. |
| A Week in the Country | novel | 1957 | |
| The Love Investigator | novel | 1960 | |
| Eileen O'Roon | play | ||
| Why Aren't You Famous? | teleplay | 1966 | This was a TV play for the BBC. It was based on his play Eileen O'Roon. A German version was also shown in 1969. |
| Where Will I find what will Change my Life? | teleplay | 1966 | |
| Call Me Daddy | teleplay | 1967 | This was an episode of "Armchair Theatre" on ABC. It won an International Emmy award in 1968. He later turned this into his novel Shall I Eat You Now?. A German version was shown in 1970. It was also performed as a play in 1975. |
| The Old Man and the Girl | novel | 1968 | |
| A Little Milk of Human Kindness | teleplay | 1968 | For London Weekend Television. |
| Women Can be Monsters | teleplay | 1968 | An episode of "The Wednesday Play" on BBC One. |
| Shall I Eat You Now? | novel | 1969 | This book was based on his TV play Call Me Daddy. In the US, it was called Hoffman, and it was made into a film in 1970, also called Hoffman. |
| Hoffman | screenplay | 1970 | This was the script for the film, based on his novel Shall I Eat You Now?. |
| A Cry for Help | play | 1975 | First shown at the Peacock Theatre, Dublin. |
| The Spaniards in Galway | play |
