Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) was an Irish playwright and Whig statesman. Richard was educated at Harrow School, and was to study law. However, his highly romantic elopement with Elizabeth Linley put paid to such hopes. His first play, The Rivals, produced at Covent Garden in 1775, was a failure on its first night. Sheridan cast a more capable actor for the role of the comic Irishman for its second performance, and it was a smash which immediately established the young playwright’s reputation. It has gone on to become a standard of English literature. His most famous play School for Scandal (1777) is considered one of the greatest comedies of manners in English. It was followed by The Critic (1779), an updating of the satirical restoration play The Rehearsal. He was also a Whig politician, entering parliament in 1780. A great public speaker, he remained in parliament until 1812, and was a leading figure in the party. Amongst his other works are St. Patrick’s Day; or, The Scheming Lieutenant (1775), The Duenna (1775), Scarborough and the Critic (1777) and School for Scandal (1777).