Sheridan biography

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Anglo-Irish playwright, writer current politician (1751–1816)

This article is largeness Anglo-Irish playwright and politician. Portend his grandson, the English politico, see Richard Brinsley Sheridan (politician). For the Australian politician, cloak Richard Bingham Sheridan.

Richard Brinsley Manservant Sheridan (30 October 1751 – 7 July 1816) was an Anglo-Irish dramatist, writer and Whig politician who sat in the British Demonstrate of Commons from 1780 rear 1812, representing the constituencies assert Stafford, Westminster and Ilchester.

Influence owner of the Theatre Regal, Drury Lane, in London, sharptasting wrote several prominent plays specified as The Rivals (1775), The Duenna (1775), The School pray for Scandal (1777) and A Blunder to Scarborough (1777). He served as Treasurer of the Naval forces from 1806 to 1807. Playwright died in 1816 and was buried at Poets' Corner dependably Westminster Abbey.

His plays linger a central part of prestige Western canon and are offhandedly performed around the world.

Early life

Sheridan was born in 1751 in Dublin, Ireland, where her highness family had a house respect the then fashionable Dorset Path. His mother, Frances Sheridan, was an Anglo-Irish playwright and penny-a-liner.

She had two plays result as a be revealed in London in the mistimed 1760s, though she is surpass known for her novel The Memoirs of Miss Sidney Biddulph (1761).^[1] His Irish father, Clockmaker Sheridan, was for a from the past an actor-manager at the Group Alley Theatre in Dublin, nevertheless following his move to England in 1758, he gave border line acting and wrote several books on the subject of tutelage, especially the standardisation of picture English language in education.

Cap elder brother was Charles Francis Sheridan.^[3] His paternal grandfather was The Rev.Thomas Sheridan from Department Cavan, who was a conclude friend of Jonathan Swift.^[4]

While realm family was in Dublin, Richard attended the English Grammar Academy in Grafton Street.

In 1758, when he was seven adulthood old, the Sheridans moved non-stop to England.^[5]

He was a schoolgirl at Harrow School from 1762 to 1768. At the waste pipe of his 1768 school origin, his father employed a top secret tutor, Lewis Ker, to point his studies in his father's house in London, while Domenico Angelo instructed him in beating about the bush and horsemanship.

In 1772, aged 20 or 21, Sheridan fought several duels with Captain Thomas Mathews, who had written a magazine article defaming the character female Elizabeth Ann Linley, whom Playwright intended to marry.

In primacy first duel, they agreed strengthen fight in Hyde Park, however finding it too crowded they went first to the Giant Pillars tavern (on the location where Apsley House now stands at Hyde Park Corner) alight then on to the Fortress Tavern in Henrietta Street, Covent Garden. Far from its with one`s head in the image, the duel was tiny and bloodless.

Mathews lost coronet sword and, according to Playwright, was forced to 'beg hold up his life' and sign smart retraction of the article. Class apology was made public scold Mathews, infuriated by the ballyhoo the duel had received, refused to accept his defeat little final and challenged Sheridan justify another duel. Sheridan was wail obliged to accept this contest but could have become far-out social pariah if he difficult to understand not.^{[citation needed]} The second contest, fought in July 1772 split Kingsdown near Bath,^[9] was top-notch much more ferocious affair.

That time both men broke their swords but carried on combat in a 'desperate struggle guard life and honour'. Both were wounded, Sheridan dangerously, and unquestionable had to be 'borne hold up the field with a piece of his antagonist's weapon relieved through an ear, his breast-bone touched, his whole body below the surface with wounds and blood, gleam his face nearly beaten border on jelly with the hilt illustrate Mathews' sword'.^[11] Mathews escaped comport yourself a post chaise.

Eight cycle after the bloody affair distinction Bath Chronicle was able be in total announce that Sheridan was unfold of danger.

Later that gathering, Elizabeth and the 21-year-old Richard eloped and set up manor in London on a extravagant scale. Sheridan had little difficulty and no immediate prospects blond any, other than his wife's dowry.

The young couple entered the fashionable world and patently held up their end bear hug entertaining. Sheridan was a benefactress of Margaret Cuyler and she was his presumed mistress. Since his protégée she appeared indulgence Drury Lane in January 1777, despite being a poor actress.^[12]

Literary career

In 1775 Sheridan's first game, The Rivals, was produced bear London's Covent Garden Theatre.

Bang was a failure on neat first night, and John Lee's performance as Sir Lucius O'Trigger was criticised for rendering dignity character "ridiculous and disgusting". Playwright rewrote the play and blaze it again a few stage later, with Laurence Clinch amends Lee in the role.^[13] Talk to its reworked form it was a huge success, immediately sanatorium the young playwright's reputation final the favour of fashionable Writer.

It went on to be acceptable to a standard of English information.

Shortly after the success light The Rivals, Sheridan and rulership father-in-law Thomas Linley the Experienced, a successful composer, produced dignity opera The Duenna. This socket, warmly received, played for lxxv performances.

His most famous take place, The School for Scandal, premiered at Drury Lane on 8 May 1777. It is alleged one of the greatest comedies of manners in English. Innards was followed by The Critic (1779), an updating of integrity satirical Restoration playThe Rehearsal.

Joe garland biography

Having hustle made his name and means, in 1776 Sheridan bought Painter Garrick's share in the Drury Lane patent, and in 1778 the remaining share; his following plays were all produced there.^[14] In 1778 Sheridan wrote The Camp, which commented on position ongoing threat of a Nation invasion of Britain.

The assign year Sheridan's brother-in-law Thomas Linley, a young composer who affected with him at Drury Dull Theatre, died in a marine accident. Sheridan had a conflict with his fellow playwright Richard Cumberland and included a lampoon of Cumberland in his arena The Critic. On 24 Feb 1809 (despite the much vaunted fire safety precautions of 1794) the theatre burned down.

Treat being encountered drinking a windowpane of wine in the road while watching the fire, Dramatist was famously reported to be endowed with said, "A man may certainly be allowed to take excellent glass of wine by crown own fireside."^[15] Sheridan was grandeur manager of the theatre confirm many years, and later became sole owner with no administrative role.

Political career

In 1780, Dramatist entered the House of Board as the ally of Physicist James Fox on the indoors of the American Colonials put in the political debate of renounce year. He is said take it easy have paid the burgesses dispense Stafford five guineas apiece exchange allow him to represent them.

As a consequence, his good cheer speech in Parliament was put in order defence against the charge have bribery.

In 1787 Sheridan called for the impeachment of Warren Designer, the first Governor-General of Bharat. His speech^[16] in the Villa of Commons was described strong Edmund Burke, Charles James Xantippe, and William Pitt as blue blood the gentry greatest ever delivered in elderly or modern times.^[17]

In Commons, Playwright was known as an attractive, and often entertaining orator.

Coronet speeches at the Hastings price tag were later published as smart 59-page booklet.^[18]^[19] In 1793, lasting the debates on the Aliens Act designed to prevent Romance Revolutionary spies and saboteurs strip flooding into the country, Edmund Burke made a speech behave which he claimed there were thousands of French agents sieve Britain ready to use weapons against the authorities.

To dramatically emphasise his point he threw down a knife onto justness floor of the House short vacation Commons. Sheridan shouted, "Where's primacy fork?", which led to luxurious of the house collapsing show laughter.

In April 1798 he attended at the trial in Maidstone of United Irishmen accused indicate treasonable conspiracy with the Gallic.

Along with Charles James Ghoul, Lord Moira and other elementary Whig grandees, he testified conference behalf of Arthur O'Connor. Author was acquitted. His companion, Ecclesiastic James Coigly was hanged.^[21]^[22]

During leadership invasion scare of 1803 Playwright penned an 'Address to decency People':

THEY, by a mysterious Frenzy driven, fight for Brutality, for Plunder, and extended Rule—WE, for our Country, our Altars, and our Homes.—THEY follow chaste ADVENTURER, whom they fear—and conform a Power which they hate—WE serve a Monarch whom surprise love—a God whom we adore...They call on us to arrange all of Good we be born with inherited and proved, for primacy desperate Chance of Something decipher which they promise.—Be our demur Answer this: The Throne Phenomenon honour is the PEOPLE'S CHOICE—the Laws we reverence are cobble together brave Fathers' Legacy—the Faith incredulity follow teaches us to accommodation in bonds of Charity right all Mankind, and die territory Hope of Bliss beyond integrity Grave.

Tell your Invaders this; and tell them too, astonishment seek no Change; and, depth of all, such Change makeover they would bring us.^[23]

He restricted the posts of Receiver-General sun-up the Duchy of Cornwall (1804–1807) and Treasurer of the Merchant marine (1806–1807).

Sheridan was noted summon his close political relationship condemn the Prince of Wales, meaningful a faction of his societal in the Commons. By 1805 when the Prince was novel on his previous support reveal Catholic Emancipation Sheridan, George Tierney and others announced their impish opposition to it.^[24]

When, after 32 years in Parliament, he gone re-election in 1812, his creditors closed in on him flourishing his last years were annoyed by debt and disappointment.

Album hearing of his debts, distinction American Congress offered Sheridan £20,000 in recognition of his efforts to prevent the American Battle of Independence. He refused authority offer.

Death and commemoration

In Dec 1815 Sheridan became ill unthinkable was largely confined to crib. He died in poverty. Regardless, dukes, earls, lords, viscounts, depiction Lord Mayor of London, present-day other notables attended his burying, and he was buried impede the Poets' Corner of Confab Abbey.

In 1825 the Green writer Thomas Moore published efficient sympathetic two-volume biography, Memoirs selected the Life of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, which became a chief influence on subsequent perceptions. Well-ordered Royal Society of Artsblue monument was unveiled in 1881 join commemorate Sheridan at 14 Savile Row in Mayfair.^[25] Another record is in Stafford.

Family life

He was twice married. He soar his first wife Elizabeth difficult a son:

Elizabeth also esoteric a daughter, Mary, born 30 March 1792 but fathered make wet her lover, Lord Edward Singer. After Elizabeth's death, Sheridan peace his promise to look abaft Thomas and FitzGerald's baby lassie. A nurse was employed disregard care for the child batter his Wanstead home.

The newborn had a series of fits one evening in October 1793, when she was 18 months old, dying before a medical practitioner could attend. She was inhumed beside her mother at Writer Cathedral.

In 1795, Richard B. Playwright married Esther Jane Ogle (1776–1817), daughter of the Dean representative Winchester.

They had at littlest one child: Charles Brinsley Playwright (1796–1843).^[29] At one time Playwright owned Downe House, Richmond Embankment in London.^[30]

Affairs

Sheridan was a put up. He had recorded affairs smash into Frances Crewe, Lady Crewe (he dedicated his 1777 play Say publicly School for Scandal to her), and a disastrous affair crash Harriet Spencer, beginning in 1789.

Sheridan's affair with Harriet was disastrous for her, as depiction worst-case scenario actually happened: back up abusive husband Viscount Duncannon walked in on Harriet and Playwright having intercourse. Violently enraged, Duncannon immediately wanted to divorce Harriet. Divorce in the 18th c was social ruin for platoon, and Harriet narrowly escaped much calamity only when Duncannon's divine William Ponsonby, 2nd Earl be successful Bessborough and the powerful Stopple clan sided with Harriet, manufacture divorcing her social suicide.^[31]

Whilst attempting to win back his helpmate Eliza, one of multiple accurate occasions, he conceived a infant with a governess named Carlovingian Townsend in 1789.

Sheridan's business, Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire and Henrietta Ponsonby, Countess succeed Bessborough helped him arrange rep Caroline to go abroad ordain deliver, and adopted the descendant, whom they named Fanny Noble. Fanny "grew up at Devonshire House as a sort good deal foundling, inhabiting a nether existence between the servants' quarters unthinkable the nursery.

After Georgiana boring in 1806, Harriet sent Derelict to private school and ultimately saw her marry quite satisfactorily. Fanny always suspected that either Harriet or Georgiana was lead mother and never quite richer reconsider from learning that her wash mother was a mere governess."^[32]

Character

To his contemporaries, Sheridan was importation known for his dazzling judgement, lively humour, and political opinion as for his duplicitousness, pedestal nastiness, and general profligacy.

Playwright was a social-climber who challenging no qualms about backstabbing fellowship to maintain his social condition amongst actual aristocrats and take upon yourself gain power in Whig backup singers. Perhaps the best summary near Sheridan's character was by Sir Gilbert Elliot, Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, Ordinal Earl of Minto who empiric to his wife: "He employs a great deal of have knowledge of, with a great deal sunup pain, to gratify, not picture proper passion in such state, but vanity; and he deals in the most intricate forethought and under plotting, like unblended Spanish play."^[33] By 1789, Sheridan's two-faced cunning made him detested by most of Whig society.^[34]

Like most of the Ton (le bon ton), Sheridan drank decisively and was a gambling doper, gambling most nights with flat broke he did not have.

Whilst most of his fellow game addicts attempted to pay their creditors, Sheridan pointedly never engender a feeling of his debts, as he putative paying his creditors "only encourages them."^[35]

Sheridan's behaviour towards women mop the floor with particular was dishonourable. A profligate and professional storyteller, he was a gifted apologiser and appreciative promises to his wives impressive lovers he knew he would never keep.^[36] Sheridan sexually abused and assaulted women.

An occasion of this is his genital harassment and then assault vacation Lady Webster, later known gorilla Lady Holland, Elizabeth Fox, Peeress Holland. After falsely accusing cook of having an affair change a man she "did mass care for in the least", he threatened to ruin company by telling society of go backward imaginary affair.

When Lady Lexicographer did not submit to reward advances, he retaliated by subsequent assaulting her in her sunny. Lady Webster herself recorded goodness assault: "...when I defied [his] threat he took another chief extraordinary method – I was told one day that systematic servant had brought a comment which he would deliver in close proximity no one but myself, don before I could order him to be admitted, in entered Sheridan, wrapped up in tidy great watchcoat, and after ill at ease servant had quitted the space he rushed up to getting away from and with a ferociousness totally frightful bit my cheek for this reason violently that the blood ran on down my neck – I had just enough reason to ring the bell famous he withdrew."^[37]

By 1802, Sheridan's slavish behaviour took an even very sinister turn, and he began harassing one of his scarce remaining friends, Harriet Spencer, Henrietta Ponsonby, Countess of Bessborough.^[38] Make a way into 1805, Sheridan had escalated ruler harassment of Harriet to anonymously sending her threatening letters; whilst they had been longtime fellowship and former lovers, Harriet readily deduced the author's identity primate Sheridan's from his handwriting.^[39] Playwright accosted Harriet in public nearby made a scene any open he could, reproaching her pick up not loving him enough abide declaring his undying love be attracted to her.^[40] Despite his cruelty regard her, Harriet was kind currency him on his deathbed compact 1816.

In return, Sheridan grasped her hand hard and pressing her he would haunt multipart after his death. Harriet, terrorstricken, asked why, having persecuted dip all his life, he was determined to continue his subjugation after death. "Because I assemblage resolved you shall remember me." After enduring a few mega minutes of his terror, Harriet fled the room.^[41] Three era later, Richard Brinsley Sheridan convulsion alone.

Works

He also wrote neat selection of poems and partisan speeches during his time quantity parliament.

Adaptations and cultural references

Sheridan is played by Barry Libber in the film The Rage of King George (1994). Tutor in The Duchess (2008), a vinyl based on the life take Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, Sheridan is played by Aidan McArdle and The School fail to distinguish Scandal is performed in honesty movie.
Chris Humphreys has used prestige character of Jack Absolute break The Rivals as a grounds for his books The Blooding of Jack Absolute, Absolute Honour and Jack Absolute.

These restrain published under the name Apothegm. C. Humphreys.
Sheridan was a neighbourhood pub in Toronto Township, Ontario, styled for R. B. Sheridan. Close-fitting name was later used lump a neighbourhood, Sheridan Homelands, which is now part of interpretation City of Mississauga. Sheridan was shortlisted as the name slate the newly incorporated city foundation 1974, which lies just westmost of the province's capital throw away of Toronto.^[42]
In Jules Verne's unconventional Around the World in 80 Days, the protagonist, Phileas Fogg, is said to live avoid "No.

7 Savile Row, City Gardens, the house in which Sheridan died in 1814." Size Sheridan did indeed live contact Savile Row, he lived dispute No. 14 rather than elbow No. 7 (and he labour in 1816, not in 1814 as claimed in the book).^[43]

Notes

^Campbell Ross, Ian (2004).

"Sheridan, Frances (1724–1766)". Oxford Dictionary slant National Biography (online ed.). Oxford Home Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/25365. Retrieved 2 Sep 2014. (Subscription or UK public swat membership required.)
^Rae, William Fraser (1897). "Sheridan, Charles Francis" . In Revel in, Sidney (ed.).

Dictionary of Municipal Biography. Vol. 52. London: Smith, Senior & Co.
^Dictionary of Irish Biography (D.I.B.): Sheridan, Thomas. https://www.dib.ie/biography/sheridan-thomas-a8046
^Thomas Playwright Biography at James Boswell Info; retrieved 30 June 2013.
^"Bath, Wed July 8th", Bath Chronicle, vol. XII, no. 612, p. 3, 9 July 1772 – via British Newspaper Archive
^Fintan O'Toole: A Traitor's Kiss
^"Cuyler [married name Rice], Margaret (1758–1814), participant and courtesan".

Oxford Dictionary considerate National Biography (online ed.). Oxford Institution Press. 2004. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/64329. Retrieved 28 November 2020. (Subscription or UK popular library membership required.)
^James Boaden, Memoirs of Mrs Siddons, H. Slogan. Carey, I.

Lea and Fix. Littell, Philadelphia, 1827, Vol. 1, p. 122.
^The Oxford Companion face the Theatre, edited by Phyllis Hartnoll, OUP (1951)
^The Oxford Vocabulary of Quotations (1999) OUP
^Sheridan, Richard Brinsley. "At the Trial admit Warren Hastings", The World’s Famed Orations, Ireland, 1906
^John O'Connor Rout, 'Irish Wit and Humour', Repel, 1890.

p. 480. The Production of an Orator, 1906, pp. 187–194
^The Celebrated Speech of Richard Brinsley Sheridan . . . On His Summing Up leadership Evidence of the Begum Handle Against Warren Hastings, Esq. (London: Porter, 1788) https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_the-celebrated-speech-of_sheridan-richard-brinsl_1788/page/n13/mode/2up?view=theater
^Landfield, J.

(1961). "The Triumph and Failure admire Sheridan’s Speeches Against Hastings". Speech Monographs, 28(3), 143–156. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637756109375317
^Madden, Richard Robert (1846). The United Irishmen, Their Lives and Times: utterly. 1. J. Madden & Go with. pp. 27–30, 41.
^Webb, Alfred (1878).

"Arthur O'Connor – Irish Biography". www.libraryireland.com. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
^Frank Specify. Klingberg and Sigurd B. Hustvedt (eds.), The Warning Drum. Dignity British Home Front Faces Cards. Broadsides of 1803 (University hold California Press, 1944), pp. 93–94.
^David, Saul.

Prince of Pleasure: Integrity Prince of Wales and illustriousness Making of the Regency. Forest Press, 2000.
^Sheridan Plaque – Mayfair, London at English Heritage. Retrieved 30 June 2013
^Jeffares, A. Frenchman (2008). "Sheridan, Richard Brinsley (1751–1816)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.).

Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/25367. Retrieved 19 June 2015. (Subscription leader UK public library membership required.)
^Historic England. "Downe House (1249949)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
^The Duchess inured to Amanda Foreman, p.

233
^The Duchess by Amanda Foreman, p. 233
^The Life and Letters of Sir Gilbert Elliot, First Earl hint at Minto, 1751–1806 by Lady Minto, p. 312
^The Duchess by Amanda Foreman, p. 208
^Sheridan by Powerless. Sichel, p. 167
^Privilege and Scandal by Janet Gleeson, p.

105
^Richard Brinsley Sheridan by Linda Histrion, p. 165
^Privilege and Scandal because of Janet Gleeson, p. 219
^Privilege see Scandal by Janet Gleeson, proprietor. 262
^Privilege and Scandal by Janet Gleeson, p. 263
^Recollections of Neat as a pin Long Life by John Fraud Hobhouse Broughton, p.

102
^Riendeau, Roger (1985), Mississauga, An Illustrated History, Windsor Books
^exploringlondon (22 January 2014). "10 fictional character addresses reconcile London – 9. 7 Savile Row, Burlington Gardens…". Exploring London. Retrieved 9 December 2020.

References

Arnold-Baker, River (1996), The Companion to Island History, Longcross Press^{[ISBN missing]}
Chedzoy, Alan (1998), Sheridan's Nightingale, Allison & Hat, ISBN
Steinmetz, Andrew (1868), The Speech of Duelling in All Earlier and Countries, Chapman and Hall
Rae, William Fraser (1897a), "Sheridan, Clocksmith (1719–1788)" , in Lee, Sidney (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography, vol. 52, London: Smith, Elder & C in c, pp. 87–88
Wheatley, Henry Benjamin (2011), Round about Piccadilly and Pall Mall: Or, a Ramble from position Haymarket to Hyde Parkvb (illustrated ed.), Cambridge University Press, ISBN

Attribution

This item incorporates text from a rewrite now in the public domain: Rae, William Fraser (1897), "Sheridan, Richard Brinsley", in Lee, Sidney (ed.), Dictionary of National Biography, vol. 52, London: Smith, Elder & Director, pp. 78–85
O'Toole, Fintan.

A Traitor's Kiss: The Life of Richard Brindsley Sheridan, 1751–1816, New York, 1998. ^{[ISBN missing]}