Memoirs of the Life of the Right Honourable Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Best known for The Rivals and The School for Scandal Richard Brinsley Sheridan (17511816) was already a celebrated comic playwright when he entered Parliament in 1780. Turning his wit and talent as a writer to political oratory he won acclaim for his speeches in the House of Commons. As an independent-minded Whig he had to reconcile his distrust of monarchical power with his role as friend and confidant to the future George IV. Sheridan''s was ultimately a turbulent life rocked by affairs heavy drinking and constant debt. This successful and influential two-volume biography first published in 1825 was written by the poet Thomas Moore (17791852) who went on to chart the life of Lord Byron. Volume 2 covers Sheridan''s political career his speeches in Parliament and his final years closing with reflections on his life.