The influential playwright known for "The Glass Menagerie" is Tennessee Williams. This semi-autobiographical play, first performed in 1944, explores themes of memory, illusion, and the complexity of familial relationships. Williams's use of poetic dialogue and nonlinear narrative reflects his characters' struggles with their desires and realities. He is recognized as a key figure in American theater, and his works often highlight the struggles of the vulnerable, making his contributions significant both artistically and socially.