Lot Essay
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816), Irish dramatist was the son of Thomas Sheridan (1719-1788), a teacher of elocution, actor and author of A Life of Swift and Frances Sheridan, née Chamberlaine (1724-1766) the author of the novel Sidney Biddulph. Sheridan was educated at Harrow and after leaving school wrote a three-act farce called Jupiter. He married Elizabeth Linley in 1773 and settled in London. In 1755 The Rivals was produced at Covent Garden and in the same year a farce called St. Patrick's Day and The Duenna were produced. In 1776, Sheridan together with Linley and another friend bought half the patent of the Drury Lane Theatre for £35,000 from Garrick and in 1778 the remaining share of £45,000. His first production was Vanburgh's Relapse and The Critic in 1779 was his last dramatic effort. On the dissolution of parliament in 1780, Sheridan was elected for Stafford and in 1782 became under-secretary for foreign affairs under Rockingham. He became secretary to the Treasury in the coaliton ministry in 1783. His parliamentary reputation dated from some great speeches from the impeachment of Hastings. He remained a devoted friend of Fox until his death and was also the defender and mouthpiece of the Prince Regent. In 1806, he was appointed receiver of the Duchy of Cornwall and in 1806, treasurer to the navy. In 1812, his career was defeated at Westminster and his parliamentary career came to an end. In 1792, his first wife died and he married three years later Esther Ogle, the daughter of the dean of Winchester. The Drury Lane Theatre had to be closed down as it was unfit to hold large audiences and a new theatre was opened in 1794. This burnt down in 1809. Sheridan died in poverty but was given a magnificent funeral in Westminster Abbey.