| Richard Brinsley Sheridan |
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Richard Brinsley Sheridan ( October 30 , 1751 – July 7 , 1816 ) was an Irish playwright and Whig Statesman . Sheridan was born in Dublin on October 30, 1751 at 12 Dorset Street, a fashionable street in the late eighteenth century. (Fellow playwright Sean O'Casey was born on Dorset Street 130 years later). He was Baptized on November 4 , 1751 , his father Thomas Sheridan being an actor-manager who managed the Theatre Royal, Dublin for a time, and his mother, Frances Sheridan , a writer. She died when her son was fifteen. Sheridan was educated at Harrow School , and was to study law. However, his highly romantic elopement with Elizabeth Linley (daughter of Thomas Linley ), and their subsequent marriage in 1773 , put paid to such hopes. When he returned to London , he began writing for the stage. His first play, '' The Rivals '', produced at Covent Garden in 1775 , was a failure on its first night. Sheridan cast a more capable actor for the role of the comic Irishman for its second performance, and it was a smash which immediately established the young playwright's reputation. It has gone on to become a standard of English Literature . Having quickly made his name and fortune, Sheridan bought a share in Drury Lane . His most famous Play '' The School For Scandal '' (1777) is considered one of the greatest Comedies Of Manners in English . It was followed by ''The Critic'' ( 1779 ), an updating of the satirical Restoration play ''The Rehearsal''. Sheridan was also a Whig politician, entering parliament in 1780 under the sponsorship of Georgiana, Duchess Of Devonshire . A great public speaker, he remained in parliament until 1812 , and was a leading figure in the party. He was also the great-grandfather of Lord Dufferin , third Governor General of Canada and eighth Viceroy of India . Upon his death, Sheridan was buried in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey . EXTERNAL LINKS
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