Vaiben Louis Solomon (31 May 1897 – 1982), commonly called "Vaib" to distinguish him from his father and others of the same name, was a businessman, better known as the humorous writer "Vaiben Louis".
Solomon was born in Medindie, South Australia,[1] the only son of politician Vaiben Louis Solomon (1853–1908) and his second wife Alice née Cohen (died 19 May 1954).[2]
He was educated at St Peter's College then at Wesley College, when his parents moved to Melbourne.He wrote humorous pieces for a school magazine The Lion, which he sub-edited,[3] and was active in amateur theatricals raising money for patriotic causes during the Great War.[4] He was successful in business, but continued to write, notably short humorous verses which were regularly published in Smith's Weekly 1922–1923.[5] [6]
He wrote a sketch for the comedian Gene Gerrard, which drew the attention of Hugh J. Ward, who had just acquired the rights to the "hit" farce Tons of Money[7] and commissioned Solomon to write the lyrics of a musical version[8] to a score by Willy Redstone.[9] It had a successful run at Sydney's Grand Opera House 1 March – 23 May 1924 and Melbourne's Princess Theatre 10–30 November 1924 with Charles Heslop and Dot Brunton as Aubrey and Louise Allington.[10]
He appears to have then ceased writing, and apart from his marriage in 1931, dropped out of the limelight completely.
Solomon married Claribelle "Claire"[11] Mitchell of Camberwell, Victoria on 31 March 1931.[12]