Sheridan, Richard Brinsley (1751-1816), was an Irish dramatist and politician. During his brief writing career, he produced several sparkling comedies. In later life, he was a brilliant speaker in the British Parliament.
Sheridan was born on Nov. 4, 1751, in Dublin. While in his early 20’s, Sheridan wrote The Rivals (1775). This comedy has a memorable character named Mrs. Malaprop who is a genius at using words incorrectly, as when she says, “Illiterate him, I say, quite from your memory.” The School for Scandal (1777), Sheridan’s finest play, is one of the great comedies of English drama. With glittering wit, it exposes society people who love malicious gossip. It also contrasts a careless but kind young man, Charles Surface, with his scheming and selfish brother Joseph. The Critic (1779), a short satiric play, wittily attacked theatrical fashions. Sheridan’s other plays include the farce St. Patrick’s Day (1775) and a comic opera, The Duenna (1775). He adapted Sir John Vanbrugh’s comedy The Relapse (1696) into A Trip to Scarborough (1777).
In 1780, Sheridan was elected to Parliament, and until 1812, he devoted himself to politics. A gifted orator, Sheridan made a memorable speech in the trial of Warren Hastings in 1788 (see Hastings, Warren). In 1799, Sheridan wrote his last full-length play, Pizarro, a political tragedy adapted from the German play Die Spanier in Peru. A man of great charm and wit, Sheridan lived a busy social life among the rich and the powerful. He is best remembered for his witty plays, but he spent little of his life as a writer. He died on July 7, 1816.
See also Malaprop, Mrs.
