British writer and dramatist George Soane died at his home in Portland Place, London aged seventy-one. The younger son of the famous architect, Sir John Soane, he had disappointed his family with his rakish behavior, which included impregnating his wife's sister and publishing criticisms of his father's work. He was eventually disinherited and became dependent on a prolific writing career during which he wrote novels, biographies, plays, and librettos. (By John Osborne)