Farquhar << FAHR kwuhr >>, George (1678-1707), is a transitional figure in the history of English drama. His plays contain the wit found in Restoration comedy of the late 1600’s and the emphasis on character and plot found in English plays of the 1700’s.
Farquhar wrote eight comedies during his brief life, and is best known for two of them. In the comedy The Beaux’ Stratagem (1707), two young Londoners visit a country town seeking rich wives in order to regain their wasted fortunes. Both have comic adventures, and one wins an heiress. The Recruiting Officer (1706) describes the adventures of army recruiters in an English country town.
Farquhar was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and worked briefly as an actor in Dublin before going to London to write comedy. A careless young man, he lived in constant need. He died on April 29, 1707.
