Voting Station

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

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Playwright

The Resume

    (October 30, 1751-July 7, 1816)
    Born in Dublin, Ireland
    Wrote the plays 'The Rivals' (1775), 'The School for Scandal' (1777) and 'The Critic' (1779)
    Wrote the libretto for the comic opera 'The Duenna' (1775)
    Owned the Drury Lane Theatre, London (1776-1809)
    Served in Parliament as a Whig (1780-1812)
    Served as Treasurer of the Navy (1806-07)

Why he might be annoying:

    'The School for Scandal' has been condemned for anti-semitism for featuring a stereotyped Jewish moneylender.
    His first speech in Parliament was a defense against charges that he had bribed the voters to get elected.
    He had the Drury Lane Theatre rebuilt to be fire-proof (1794), only to have it burn down fifteen years later.
    He constantly lived beyond his means.
    During an argument, he threatened to cut off his son Tom in his will with only a farthing, to which Tom retorted, 'But who will you borrow the farthing from?'

Why he might not be annoying:

    'The Rivals' and 'The School for Scandal' were two of the most popular comedies of the 18th and 19th centuries, with 'The Rivals' receiving five command performances from the royal family in ten years.
    He coined the word malapropism from one of his characters in 'The Rivals.'
    He was an advocate for the American colonies in Parliament, which later prompted the US Congress to offer him $20,000 to help pay his debts. (He turned down the offer.)
    He was known for his wit.
    Asked to apologize for insulting a fellow member of Parliament, he replied, 'I said the honorable member is a liar it is true and I am sorry for it. The honorable member may place the punctuation as he pleases.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 25 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 70 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 20 Votes: 65.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 17 Votes: 82.35% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 72 Votes: 59.72% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 176 Votes: 71.59% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 48 Votes: 72.92% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 254 Votes: 67.72% Annoying