SHERIDAN

Sheridan was an Anglo-Irish playwright, writer and Whig politician who sat in the British House of Commons from 1780 to 1812, representing the constituencies of Stafford, Westminster and Ilchester. The owner of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London, he wrote several prominent plays such as The Rivals (1775), The Duenna (1775), The School for Scandal (1777) and A Trip to Scarborough (1777), along with serving as Treasurer of the Navy from 1806 to 1807. He held the posts of Receiver-General of the Duchy of Cornwall (1804–1807) and Treasurer of the Navy (1806–1807). Sheridan was noted for his close political relationship with the Prince of Wales, leading a faction of his supporters in the Commons. By 1805 when the Prince was cooling on his previous support of Catholic Emancipation Sheridan, George Tierney and others announced their own opposition to it. After his death in 1816, Sheridan was buried at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, and his plays remain a central part of the Western canon and are regularly performed around the world. Richard Mansel PHILIPPS (1768-1844) was a British Royal Navy officer and politician, Member of Parliament for Stafford from 1806 to 1812. He found political success by moving off his home ground. The withdrawal in 1806 of Richard Brinsley Sheridan from Stafford gave an opportunity seen by Henry Clifford, from a Catholic family. His brother Thomas Clifford had an estate at Tixall, a few miles east of Stafford. Ahead of the 1806 general election, the Cliffords supported Mansel Philipps in early canvassing for the Whig vote. Richard's son Thomas Sheridan had expected to succeed his father, but had a slow start to his campaign. Mansel Philipps topped the poll in the two-member constituency, ahead of Edward Monckton. This was despite Richard Sheridan trying to exploit his extensive debts. The 1807 general election became necessary because the King could not countenance Catholic relief. Mansel Philipps was re-elected, but had to find further election expenses when he was burdened with financial difficulties arising from his Welsh collieries. He supported some measures related to Catholic relief in 1808. From 1809 he was on the defensive after taking money from a constituent and dishonestly using it to pay down debts; he used John Ingram Lockhart to duck a summons to the House. He dropped out of public life in 1812.