Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Playwright and Politician

Richard Brinsley Sheridan, politician, dramatist and wit, was buried in Poets' Corner, near the grave of David Garrick. The inscription on his black marble gravestone, re-cut in 1956 but now rather faint, reads:

RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN BORN 1751 DIED 7th JULY 1816. THIS MARBLE IS THE TRIBUTE OF HIS ATTACHED FRIEND PETER MOORE.

The funeral procession made its way to the Abbey from Mr Moore's house in Great George Street, Westminster, and many dukes and nobles attended.

His Life

Richard was born in September 1751 in Dublin, a son of Thomas Sheridan (died 1788), actor-manager, and his wife Frances (Chamberlaine), novelist (1724-1766). His parents took Richard and his sister Alicia to live in Windsor and he attended Harrow School. He then lived in Bath.

On 13th April 1773 he married Eliza Linley, a talented singer, and they had a son, Thomas (1775-1817) who was an actor and a soldier, and a daughter. He took part in two duels, in one he was seriously wounded. Richard gave up the study of law to try writing and his comedy The Rivals was performed in 1775 and he had a controlling share in the Drury Lane theatre. The School for Scandal was another popular work. He became very extravagant and had many debts. His Surrey home was Polesden Lacey.

Sheridan became interested in politics and was Member of Parliament for Stafford, for Westminster, and for Ilchester. He was later secretary to the Treasury. He was known as a brilliant orator. Eliza died in 1792. Their son was Thomas, and Eliza’s illegitimate daughter Mary was treated as a Sheridan.

In 1795 Richard married Hester Ogle, daughter of the dean of Winchester, and they had a son called Charles, born in 1796. Sheridan also had an illegitimate daughter by a governess.

Richard’s great granddaughter Marcia Caroline Sheridan married Francis Thynne, son of Lord John Thynne, Sub-Dean of Westminster, in the Abbey on 30th June 1864.