Sheridan, Richard Brinsley (1751–1816)

Irish dramatist and politician. His social comedies include The Rivals (1775), celebrated for the character of Mrs Malaprop, whose unintentional misuse of words gave the English language the word ‘malapropism’, and his best-known piece, The School for Scandal (1777). He also wrote a burlesque (mockingly imitative) play, The Critic (1779), on the staging of inferior dramatic work. In 1776 he became lessee of the Drury Lane Theatre, London.

Born in Dublin, Sheridan became a member of Parliament in 1780 as an adherent of the English Whig politician Charles Fox. A noted orator, he directed the impeachment of the former governor general of India, Warren Hastings, and was treasurer to the Navy 1806–07. His last years were clouded by the burning down of his theatre in 1809, the loss of his parliamentary seat in 1812, and by financial ruin and mental breakdown.