Memoirs of the Life of the Rt. Hon. Richard Brinsley Sheridan — Volume 01

About this book

The work is a biographical memoir of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the celebrated 18th‑century playwright, theatre manager and parliamentarian, compiled by Thomas Moore from the recollections of Sheridan’s relatives and acquaintances. It opens with a formal dedication to Mr Charles Sheridan, explaining the author’s reliance on family papers, letters from Mrs Lefanu and her daughter, and contributions from William Linley, Doctor Bain and others. The introductory chapter then traces Sheridan’s birth in Dublin, his parents’ literary pedigree, and his early schooling under Samuel Whyte, followed by a vivid portrait of his Harrow years, where he was regarded as a charming yet idle boy, praised for occasional flashes of intellect but largely dismissed as “a most impenetrable dunce.” The narrative proceeds chronologically, promising detailed accounts of his literary beginnings, duels, theatrical acquisitions and political career.

Moore’s voice is that of a diligent 19th‑century chronicler, employing a formal, documentary style that interweaves direct quotations, footnotes and personal anecdotes. The prose reflects the period’s reverence for primary sources and a measured, sometimes apologetic tone toward its subject. Readers with an interest in Georgian politics, the history of English drama, or the social milieu of London’s theatrical world will find the memoir’s exhaustive chapter list and its emphasis on family testimony especially rewarding.