One of the most famous bearded men of his time was George Bernard Shaw. A razor company sought his endorsement by offering their product to him at no cost if he would consent to shave his famous beard.

Shaw responded to the offer as follows:

Gentlemen:

I shall never shave, for the same reason that I started a beard, and for the reason my father started his. I remember standing at his side, when I was five, while he was shaving for the last time. “Father,” I asked, “Why do you shave?” He stood there for a full minute and finally looked down at me. “Why the hell do I?” he said.

He put down his razor and never shaved again.

— GB