Planché, James Robinson (1796–1880)

English dramatist, librettist, and critic. He was popular in his own day for his burlesques, such as The Island of Jewels 1849. He introduced historically accurate costume and accessories to the theatre, and helped to change the law governing theatrical copyright after one of his plays had been plagiarized. He wrote a number of libretti including Maid Marian for Henry Bishop, Oberon for Carl Weber, and The Surrender of Calais, intended for Mendelssohn and later offered to H Smart, who left it unfinished.

He was an expert on heraldry, with the title Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms 1854 and Somerset Herald 1866 at the Heralds' College. His History of British Costume was published 1834.