Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) was an Irish-born dramatist and politician. An active Member of Parliament for more than 30 years, he was one of the most brilliant orators of his generation. He was also immensely popular as an author who created such memorable characters as Mrs. Malaprop—who gave her name to the word “malapropism,” and who was fond of saying, “He is the very pineapple of politeness.”
Sheridan was born in Dublin. His family relocated to England when he was seven years old. His mother was a playwright and his father an actor who wrote books about teaching English.
Before entering parliament, Sheridan wrote his witty plays lampooning English manners and the aristocracy, including The Rivals (1775,) The Duenna (1775,) The School for Scandal (1777,) and The Critic (1779.) The Rivals, a Romantic comedy known for its witty dialogue, was a favorite of President George Washington.
As a Whig Member of Parliament, Sheridan served as secretary of the treasury, treasurer of the navy, and member of the Privy Council. He supported the American Revolution, but couldn’t win over enough opposition to King George III’s declaration of war against the colonies.
After 32 years in Parliament, Sheridan lost his run for reelection and spent the last years of his life in poverty, triggered partially by losses incurred from his investments in London’s Drury Lane theatre. He is buried in the Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey along with Geoffrey Chaucer and Edmund Spenser.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Our memories are independent of our wills. It is not easy to forget.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Topics: Memory
Satires and lampoons on particular people circulate more by giving copies in confidence to the friends of the parties, than by printing them.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan
That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Topics: Aging, Age
The surest way not to fail is to determine to succeed.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Topics: Success
There is nothing on earth so easy as to forget, if a person chooses to set about it. I’m sure I have as much forgot your poor, dear uncle, as if he had never existed; and I thought it my duty to do so.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Modesty is a quality in a lover more praised by the women than liked.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Topics: Humility
The surest way to fail is not to determine to succeed.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Topics: Failure
‘Tis safest in matrimony to begin with a little aversion.
—Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Topics: Marriage
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