Lillian Hellman

Leading American dramatist whose tough, socially conscious dramas achieved critical and commercial success in the 1930s and 40s. Hellman was blacklisted in 1952 for refusing to identify former leftist associates to the House Committee on Un-American Activities with the now-famous declaration that "I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year's fashions." She was portrayed by Jane Fonda in the successful 1977 film "Julia," based on one of her short stories and by Judy Davis in the TV biography "Dash and Lilly" (A&E, 1999).