George L. Aiken (December 19, 1830 – April 27, 1876) was a nineteenth-century American playwright and actor. Active during a vibrant period of American theatrical history, Aiken engaged with the stage both as a dramatic writer and as a performer, contributing to the era's popular entertainment landscape.\n\nAiken is best known for writing the most popular of the numerous stage adaptations of Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. During the nineteenth century, Stowe's work was frequently adapted for the stage by various writers, but Aiken's specific dramatization achieved a level of widespread popularity that surpassed all other versions. This landmark adaptation remains his most significant and enduring contribution to the history of American theater.
