Who Had a 30 Year Love Affair with Lillian Hellman?

Lillian Hellman, the renowned American playwright, screenwriter, and memoirist, had a 30-year love affair with the famous mystery writer Dashiell Hammett. Their relationship was filled with passion, creativity, and tumultuous moments that have fascinated literary scholars and fans alike.

Hammett, best known for his detective novels such as "The Maltese Falcon" and "The Thin Man," met Hellman in the early 1930s and they quickly fell in love. Despite both being married to other people at the time, they embarked on a passionate affair that would last for three decades.

Their relationship was marked by intense emotional highs and lows, as well as a shared love of literature and writing. Hellman often credited Hammett with being a major influence on her work, while Hammett found inspiration in Hellman's fierce independence and strong-willed nature.

Throughout their years together, they supported each other through personal and professional challenges, with Hellman often using her influence to help further Hammett's career in Hollywood. Their love affair was a well-known secret in literary circles, but they never publicly acknowledged it during their lifetimes.

Despite the challenges they faced, their relationship endured until Hammett's death in 1961. Hellman was devastated by the loss of her partner and continued to mourn him for the rest of her life. Their love story has been immortalized in biographies, films, and plays that explore the complexities of their bond.

To learn more about the love affair between Lillian Hellman and Dashiell Hammett, you can visit the following websites:

• Biography.com - Dashiell Hammett
• Biography.com - Lillian Hellman
• The New York Times - Lillian Hellman and Dashiell Hammett: The Love Affair That Lived in the Shadows

Overall, the 30-year love affair between Lillian Hellman and Dashiell Hammett remains a captivating and enduring story of love, passion, and creativity.

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