Encyclopedias: Spartacus Educational: Reform of Parliament: Richard Sheridan

Description: Abstract: Born in Dublin in 1751, his parents moved to London and in 1762 he was sent to Harrow School. After six years at Harrow he went to live with his father in Bath. He began writing plays and on in 1775, the Covent Garden Theatre produced his comedy, The Rivals. After a poor reception it was withdrawn though a revised version appeared soon after and it eventually become one of Britain's most popular comedies. In 1780, he became MP for Stafford and in 1782 the Marquis of Rockingham appointed him under secretary for Foreign Affairs. Sheridan opposed the Act of Union with Ireland and lost office when Henry Addington replaced William Pitt as Prime Minister. After several years in debtor's prison he died in poverty in 1816.