Sarah Kane (1971–1999)

Sarah Kane was born in Essex to a devout Christian family whose religion she later rejected. She studied drama at Bristol University, and then earned a master's degree in playwriting at the University of Birmingham. Her published works consist of five plays, one short film, and two newspaper articles for The Guardian. Her first play Blasted (1995) caused a storm of publicity when it was performed at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in London for its explicit sex scenes. All her plays were remarkable for their violence, sexuality and deeply disturbing themes. She personally shied away from the celebrity caused by her works. She committed suicide by hanging herself at age 28.