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SHEPHEARD'S CALENDAR, The. "The Shepheard's Calendar) was published anonymously in 1579, with a dedication "To the noble and vertuous gentleman most worthy of all titles both of learning and chevalrie, M. Philip Sidney." The book consists of 12 eclogues, each eclogue accompanied by a commentary or glossary that gives the argument and the meaning of unusual words; and purports to be written by E. K., a friend of the poet's identified by some scholars with Edmund Kirke, a college-mate of Spenser's, and by others with Spenser himself. The whole is introduced by a "General Argument" and an epistle to Master Gabriel Harvey of Cambridge. The Calendar) was an immediate success. It went through five editions during Spenser's lifetime, the first in 1579, and then in 1581, 1586, 1591, 1597; and was regarded as one of the high-water marks of English poetry. The Shepheard's Calendar' is descended from many sources. From the eclogue end its origins were in Theocritus most of all, and to varying degrees in Bion, Vergil, Petrarch and Bocaccio, Mantuan, Sannazaro and Marot. In metres and rhythms, of which Spenser attempts a wide variety, his main sources are Chaucer in particular, Surrey, Marot, and the old ballads. The language of the book marks Spenser as a daring innovator in poetic diction. It consists of words and forms from Lancashire and other dialects, of colloquialisms, old literary words, obsolete expressions, the best of contemporary poetic diction, and coinages in words and in forms, often happy, sometimes far-fetched, of Spenser's own.

The single eclogues employ the traditional devices: the monologues, the two- and threepart dialogues, the singing contests and the stories. The scheme of an eclogue to the month, following the general plan of country almanacs was original. But this motive is followed only indifferently; in October not at all, quite fully in the January, February, November and December divisions. In like manner the romance of Colin's love for Rosalynd also runs through some of the eclogues and is absent from others. The two motives combine to make the framework of the poem.

There is probably no one book in English that looks in so many poetic directions as "The Shepheard's Calendar. It is the work of a young writer possessed of enthusiasm, the splendor and excitement of the Renaissance, wide taste and reading, and one of the supreme lyrical gifts in all poetry for tone, rhythm, ornament and the enveloping glamor of a beautiful and rare spirit and mentality. Most of Spenser's later work finds its beginnings in the 'Calendar'; and though he progressed far beyond it in every way, in profundity of content, in rhythm and imagery, the progression was in almost every case directly from the qualities of his first work. As the poet's poet, which he undoubtedly is, Spenser stands from the first revealed. In The Shepheard's Calendar' lovers of Milton will find many of his qualities predicted, and to a varying extent the same is true of Shakespeare, Keats, Chatterton, Blake, Coleridge, Wordsworth and Tennyson, to mention only a few of Spenser's debtors.

STARK YOUNG. SHEPHERD, Francis John, Canadian physician: b. Cavagnol, Quebec, 25 Nov. 1851

He was graduated M.D. at McGill University in 1873 and later studied in England, France, Germany and Austria. He was associated with the medical faculty at McGill from 1875 and from 1883 was professor of anatomy there, becoming dean of the medical faculty in 1908. From 1883 he was senior surgeon of the Montreal General Hospital. He was president of the Canadian Medical Association in 1901. He is joint author of American Text-Book of Surgery) (1892); Retrospect of Surgery) (3 vols., 1881-94) and editor of 'Robert Craik's Addresses' (1907).

SHEPHERD, William Robert, American historian and educator: b. Charleston, S. C., 12 June 1871. He was graduated at Columbia University in 1893 and later studied at the universities of Berlin and Madrid. He was a member of the faculty at Columbia from 1902 and from 1912 was professor of history there. He has specialized in United States colonial history and in that of Latin America. He is honorary professor of the University of Chile. Author of History of Proprietary Government in Pennsylvania) (1896); Battle of Harlem Heights (1898); The Cession of Louisiana to Spain' (1904); Passing of New Amsterdam' (1912); Central and South America' (1914); Latin America' (1914); 'Expansion of Europe' (1915); 'Commonsense in Foreign Policy (1917), etc.

SHEPHERD OF HERMAS. See HERMAS, SHEPHERD OF.

SHEPHERD KINGS. See HYкsos.

SHEPHERD'S PURSE, a small cruciferous weed (Capsella bursa-pastoris). It has rosettes of lobed or pinnatified leaves, a short stem, branching into spreading pedicels carrying racemes of small white flowers, rapidly succeeded by triangularly heart-shaped capsules, which have suggested this name and also those of mother's heart, case-weed, shepherd's bag, etc., by their resemblance to ancient wallets. Originally European, this plant has been naturalized throughout the temperate regions, blooming during the entire year, and was formerly used as an anti-scorbutic and in hæmatura.

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W. Va., town in Jefferson County, on the Potomac River and on the Norfolk and Western Railroad, about 65 miles west of Washington, D. C., and 10 miles above Harper's Ferry. It was settled in 1732; but there is good reason to believe a settlement was made as early as 1718 by German colonists from Pennsylvania. In 1762 it was incorporated as a town; first called Mecklenburg and afterward changed to Shepherdstown. It is in an agricultural region. The chief manufactory is a knitting factory. Other industrial establishments are a flour mill, machine shop and cement-works. There are several churches, some of which are exclusively for the colored inhabitants. The educational institutions are Shepherd College, State Normal School and graded public schools. The government is vested in a mayor, recorder and a council of five members, elected annually. Pop. 1,276.

SHEPHERDSTOWN, Engagements at and Near. Situated in a great bend of the Potomac, nine miles east of Martinsburg and on one of the principal routes from the Shenandoah Valley to Maryland, Shepherdstown, W. Va., was the scene of much activity during

the Civil War. Both armies, at various times, crossed the Potomac at a ford about one mile below the town, which was used by the Confederates when they withdrew from the Antietam battlefield, 18-19 Sept. 1862, and by a great part of Lee's infantry when they marched to Gettysburg in June 1863. On 25 Sept. 1862 General Pleasonton's cavalry division crossed the ford on a reconnaissance toward Martinsburg and a few miles beyond Shepherdstown encountered the Confederates in some force, and was checked after capturing a few men. Again (1 Oct. 1862) Pleasonton crossed the river, with 500 cavalry and a battery of six guns, drove the Ninth Virginia cavalry from Shepherdstown and pursued it across the Opequon and into Martinsburg, where he encountered the rest of Col. W. H. F. Lee's brigade and a battery, both of which were driven from the place. Pleasonton remained in the town until 5 P.M., when he started on his return march, followed by Confederate cavalry and two guns, with whom about dark he had an encounter when within a mile of Shepherdstown, after which he recrossed the Potomac. The loss was slight on both sides. On 16 Oct. 1862 in co-operation with General Hancock's division, which advanced from Harper's Ferry toward Charlestown and Winchester, General Humphreys, with about 500 cavalry, 6,000 infantry and six guns, marched from Sharpsburg, crossed Shepherdstown Ford at 4 A.M., and moved toward Smithfield on a reconnaissance. A mile out of Shepherdstown his advance was contested by Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry brigade and two guns. Lee was driven beyond Kearneysville, where he was reinforced by cavalry and a brigade of infantry, but was driven back, and Humphreys went into bivouac. The latter resumed his march on the morning of the 17th, and one and a half miles beyond Kearneysville came upon Lee in a strong position. Not desiring to bring on an engagement, and having his cavalry make a dash on Smithfield, which was found occupied by Confederate cavalry, Humphreys returned to Sharpsburg by the way he had gone out, followed by cavalry and artillery as far as Shepherdstown.

After his Gettysburg campaign, Lee recrossed the Potomac at Williamsport 14 July 1863. On that day, to watch his movements, General Gregg's cavalry division was sent across the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and on the 15th marched to Shepherdstown, driving some cavalry from the town that evening and encamping nearby. On the 16th, about 1 P.M., Gregg's advance near Kearneysville was attacked by Fitzhugh Lee, with his own and Chambliss' brigade, supported by Jenkins' brigade. Gregg was gradually driven back upon his guns, when he rallied his command, and the sharp engagement was continued, lasting until dark, both sides dismounted. This engagement was on the Boteler farm, about a mile from town. During the early morning Gregg fell back to Harper's Ferry, with a loss of 70 killed, wounded and missing as the result of his fight on the 16th. The Confederate loss was 106.

On 21 Aug. 1864 Sheridan fell back from the line of the Opequon to Halltown, near Harper's Ferry, the cavalry, under General Torbert, being moved to his right at and near Shepherdstown. General Early demonstrated

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on the position at Halltown for three days, and on the 25th with the four infantry divisions of Rodes, Ramseur, Gordon and Wharton, with their artillery, moved northward toward Shepherdstown, his cavalry at the same time moving on Williamsport to keep up the impression of an invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Between Lee Town, seven miles Southwest of Shepherdstown and Kearneysville, Early came upon Merritt's and Wilson's cavalry divisions, under Torbert, who had marched from Shepherdstown and Duffield's that morning on a reconnaissance to Lee Town. Torbert promptly attacked Wharton's division, Early advanced and drove it back in confusion nearly a mile. Early brought up the rest of his command, and after a short and sharp contest in which artillery was freely used, Torbert ordered his two divisions to fall back, Wilson's by the route it had come, and Merritt's by the direct road to Shepherdstown. Merritt was followed so closely by Early that when near Shepherdstown on the Charlestown road, Custer's brigade was ordered out to repel the advance, in which it succeeded, driving it back; but it was in turn struck in flank and rear by Gordon's division, which had marched across the country. Devin's brigade was sent to Cus ter's relief, and engaged Gordon. Custer was cut off and, after a sharp fight, made his escape by crossing the Shepherdstown Ford into Maryland. It was now dark; Merritt rejoined Wilson and both joined Sheridan. The loss was considerable on both sides. Early encamped near Shepherdstown, and next day moved back across the Opequon, and on the 27th to Bunker Hill. (See CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA). Consult Dandridge, Mrs. D., 'Historic Shepherdstown' (Charlottesville, Va., 1910).

E. A. CARMAN.

SHEPHERDSTOWN (Boteler's) FORD Engagement at. General Lee withdrew from the field of Antietam during the night of 18 Sept. 1862 and recrossed the Potomac into Virginia by the Shepherdstown or Boteler's Ford, one mile below Shepherdstown and about two and one-half miles from Sharpsburg. Leaving some artillery and two small infantry brigades at the ford to hold McClellan in check, he marched his army for the Opequon. On the morning of the 19th Pleasonton's cavalry followed Lee to the Potomac, and in the evening detachments of the Fifth corps forded the river, drove away the Confederate infantry, and seized some of the artillery. To ascertain how far Lee had retreated, General Porter was authorized by McClellan to send a reconnaissance beyond the Potomac on the morning of the 20th, and Porter ordered over the divisions of Generals Morell and Sykes. Before daylight two regiments crossed with spare horses, secured three guns that had been taken the night before, and took them to the Maryland side. At 8 o'clock Sykes crossed the river with Lovell's brigade of regulars and pushed out a mile on the Charlestown road, when he discovered the Confederates in force, upon which Lovell fell back, skirmishing, to the heights near the river, and Warren's small brigade of two regiments formed on his left. The Confederates encountered were Gen. A. P. Hill's division of six brigades, supported by three brigades under

General Early, all sent back by Lee when he heard that the Union advance had crossed the river. Hill's skirmishers had slowly pressed back Lovell, and meanwhile Barnes' brigade of Morell's division had crossed the river, under orders to go on the road to Shepherdstown; but Sykes ordered it straight to the top of a high steep bluff on the river bank to connect with Lovell's right. Before Barnes' brigade had all taken position Sykes came to the conclusion that he was too largely outnumbered to remain on that side of the river, and ordered the troops to recross, which was done by the left in good order, under cover of a heavy artillery fire from the Union batteries on the Maryland side; but the withdrawal on the right was not accomplished without disaster. The 118th Pennsylvania or "Corn-Exchange" regiment, 737 officers and men, had ascended the high bluff, and was not fairly in position when it was attacked by five brigades of A. P. Hill's division. It made a good fight, but was attacked on both flanks and in front, Colonel Prevost was wounded, and it was driven in disorder over the precipitous rocky bluff, many being killed and wounded in falling to the roadway below. The men began to cross the river, and the Confederates, advancing to the bluff, fired upon them as they were struggling to regain the opposite shore. Some were killed in the water; some were drowned; others, who took refuge in old lime-kilns on the bank of the river, were killed or wounded by careless firing of the Union batteries; and some surrendered. In this disastrous affair the regiment lost 53 killed, 10 wounded, and 105 missing, or 269 out of a total brigade loss of 317. A. P. Hill's loss was 30 killed and 231 wounded. The Union loss on the 19th and 20th was 71 killed, 161 wounded and 131 missing; the Confederate loss, 33 killed and 252 wounded. After the engagement of the 20th A. P. Hill and Early marched from the field and joined the main body of the army, which bivouacked that night on the Opequon near Martinsburg. Consult Official Records' (Vol. XIX); Smith, 'History of the 118th Pennsylvania Volunteers.'

E. A. CARMAN.

SHEPLEY, shěp'li George Foster, American soldier and jurist: b. Saco, Me., 1 Jan. 1819; d. Portland, Me., 20 July 1878. He was graduated from Dartmouth in 1837, from the Dana Law School at Cambridge in 1839, and admitted to the bar in 1840. He settled in Portland in 1844, where he established a large practice and in 1848-49 and in 1853-61 he was United States attorney for Maine. In 1861 he was commissioned colonel of volunteers in the Union army, participated in General Butler's expedition against New Orleans, commanded as acting brigadier-general at Ship Island, and after the capture of New Orleans was appointed military commandant, acting mayor, and was in charge of the defenses of the city until 1862 when he was appointed military governor of Louisiana and commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers. He commanded the military district of Virginia and North Carolina in 1864, was with the army of the James in 1864-65, and entered Richmond 3 April 1865. He was appointed military governor of the city and held the command until June when he resigned and resumed his law practice. From 1869 until his

death he served as United States circuit judge of the First Judicial Court of Maine. His decisions appear in Holmes' 'Reports' (1877).

SHEPPARD, Edmund Ernest, Canadian journalist: b. South Dorchester, Ontario, 29 Sept. 1855. He was educated at Bethany College, West Virginia, and engaged in journalism in the southern United States. After his return to Canada he was editor of the Saint Thomas Journal in 1881-83; editor-in-chief of the Toronto News in 1883-87; of the Toronto Saturday Night, which he founded, in 18871906; and editor-in-chief and owner of the Toronto Star in 1895-97. He represented the Dominion government on a commercial mission to Central and South America in 1897. Author of several novels, 'Dolly'; 'The Wisdom of Jones,' etc.

SHEPPARD, John (Jack), English criminal: b Stepney, Dec. 1702; d. Tyburn, 16 Nov. 1724. He was brought up in the workhouse of Bishopsgate, his father having died the year after his birth. He was apprenticed to a carpenter, but falling in with bad company deserted his master and took to a life of thieving. He was first brought up in court in 1723 as a runaway apprentice, but having secured his release, he thenceforth, as he confessed, fell to robbing almost everyone that stood in his way. Having offended Jonathan Wild, a broker of stolen goods and informer against thieves, his capture was effected 23 July 1724. He was tried at the Old Bailey and condemned to death, but before his execution was effected he escaped from prison twice. He was hanged at Tyburn in the presence, it is said, of over 200,000 people. He was celebrated by all the journals and chapbooks, and even by the divines, who exhorted their flocks to emulate him in a spiritual sense. Plays have been constructed around his personality and Harrison Ainsworth made him the hero of his novel 'Jack Sheppard' (1839).

SHEPPARD, Morris, American politician: b. Wheatville, Morris County, Tex., 28 May 1875. In 1895 he was graduated at the University of Texas and subsequently studied at Yale. In 1898-99 he practised at Pittsburg, Tex., and since 1899 at Texarkana. On 15 Nov. 1902 he was elected to the 57th Congress for the unexpired term (1902-03) of his father. Mr. Sheppard was re-elected to the 58th, 59th, 60th, 61st and 62d Congresses (1903-13) from the first Texas district. On 29 Jan. 1913 he was elected United States senator for the unexpired term (ending 4 March 1913) of Joseph W. Bailey, and on the same day was elected for the term 1913-19. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1919.

SHERATON, shĕr'a-ton, Thomas, English furniture designer and cabinet-maker: b. Stockton-on-Tees, 1751; d. London, 22 Oct. 1806. He was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker and was self-taught in drawing and geometry. He settled in Soho square, London, about 1790 and there began the publication of the books of furniture designs which place him in the front ranks of English furniture designers. He appears to have had a small shop, but very little of his work is known to be in existence. made a scanty living through the sale of his books, by teaching drawing, occasional preaching in Baptist chapels, and the publication of a number of religious books. He failed to

He

achieve personal success, his talents and tastes being too much diversified and untrained for concentrated endeavor. His furniture designs, however, had a far-reaching influence, as they were widely copied, and they remain unexcelled as models of exquisite taste and simplicity. His designs showed the square, tapering leg, simple lines and quiet ornament, marquetry being almost the only decoration he used. He used satinwood to a marked extent, and when he employed carvings they were of a flat description. His theory was that beauty in furniture lies in utility worked out through sound lines of construction. His later work shows an unfortunate departure from the rules laid down at the beginning of his career, his natural inventiveness being tempted by the vogue of the French Empire. In these he departed from his oldtime beauty and simplicity of line, and his influence is responsible for much of the grotesque carvings and ugly designs of the succeeding period. His name, however, is inseparably connected with his early designs. His books of designs are 'The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Drawing Book' (111 plates, 1791; 2d ed., 119 plates, 1793-96; 3d ed., 122 plates, 1802); (The Cabinet Dictionary) (1803); The Cabinet Maker and Artist's Encyclopedia (30 parts, 1804-06). The last work was planned in 125 parts, of which but 30 were completed when he died.

SHERBROOKE, sher'bruk, SIR John Coape, English soldier: b. England 1764; d. Calverton, Nottinghamshire, 14 Feb. 1830. He was commissioned ensign in the army in 1780, served in Nova Scotia in 1784-85 and in 1796-1800 was on duty in India and South Africa. He was sent to Egypt to negotiate a treaty with the Beys in 1807, and in 1808 was in temporary command of all the troops in Sicily. He later served in Portugal, was second in command to Wellesley in the campaign of 1809, and was awarded a medal for gallant conduct at Talavera. In 1811 he became lieutenant-general and was appointed governorgeneral of Nova Scotia. He led a naval expedition to Maine in 1814 and captured some places on the Penobscot River. In 1816 he became captain-general and governor-in-chief of Canada. He resigned in 1818 in consequence of a paralytic stroke and lived the remainder of his life in retirement. Consult 'Dictionary of National Biography) (London 1897).

SHERBROOKE, Robert Lowe, VISCOUNT. See LOWE, Robert.

SHERBROOKE, Canada, city, port and capital of Sherbrooke County, Quebec, on the Canadian Pacific, Grand Trunk, Boston and Maine and Quebec Central railways; 101 miles east of Montreal. The city is built on both sides of the Magog River at its junction with the Saint Francis and both rivers are crossed by fine bridges and afford abundant water power for manufacturing. The most important industry is the manufacture of woolen cloth, one mill employing over 1,000 persons; other manufactures are paper, cotton goods, carpets, clothing, foundry products, machinery, axes, bobbins, electrical supplies and cigars, and there are breweries, tanneries and flour and lumber mills. Copper, asbestos and chrome iron ore are mined in the vicinity. The local trade is important and lumber, paper pulp, as

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bestos, copper and lime are exported to the United States. It is the seat of a Roman Catholic bishop, and has fine county buildings, post-office building, several churches, an academy, good schools, banks and daily, semiweekly and weekly newspapers. Pop. (1921) 22,097.

SHERIDAN, Philip Henry, American soldier: b. Albany, N. Y., 6 March 1831; d. Nonquitt, Mass., 5 Aug. 1888. He was graduated at the United States Military Academy in 1853. He served in the 3d and 4th infantry regiments in the West until May 1861, when he was appointed captain in the 13th infantry. In December 1861 he was made quartermaster and commissary of the Union army in southwestern Missouri. He was Halleck's quartermaster during the Corinth campaign in 1862. In May 1862 he was appointed colonel of the 2d Michigan cavalry and was made brigadiergeneral of volunteers in July. He served with distinction in the battles of Perryville and Stone River (qq.v.), and was made majorgeneral of volunteers 31 Dec. 1862. In 1863 he distinguished himself in the bloody battle of Chickamauga (q.v.), and also bore an important part in the battle of Chattanooga (q.v.), where he attracted the attention of General Grant, who, when he assumed command in Virginia, had Sheridan transferred (April 1864) to the Army of the Potomac as commander of the cavalry corps. Sheridan was actively engaged in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor (qq.v.), etc. From 9-25 May 1864 he raided the Confederate communications around Richmond, destroying 10 miles of track on three important railroads, cutting the telegraph wires, capturing several trains and causing much alarm in the Confederate capital. On 28 May he fought the battle of Hawes' Shop (q.v.) and 11 June that of Trevilian's Station. Nearly every day in May, June and July Sheridan's cavalry was engaged with the Confederate troops or raiding their communications. On 7 Aug. 1864 he was placed in command of the Army of the Shenandoah with instructions to clear the Confederates out of the valley. He defeated Early at Winchester (q.v.) 19 September, and at Fisher's Hill 22 September and was rewarded by being made a brigadier-general in the regular army. After the battle of Fisher's Hill he laid waste the Shenandoah Valley. Practically everything destructible was destroyed and the horses, cattle and sheep were driven out. His object in devastating the country was to prevent future expeditions by the Confederates up the valley by destroying the means of subsistence. The non-combatants were reduced to the verge of starvation, and Sheridan has been much censured for his course. On 19 Oct. 1864 his army was surprised and routed in the battle of Cedar Creek (q.v.) by Early, who neglected to pursue. Sheridan, who was 20 miles away when the battle began, made his famous ride, rallied his demoralized troops, returned and decisively defeated the army of Early. On 8 Nov. 1864 Sheridan was made major-general in the regular army. From 27 Feb. to 24 March 1865 he made a raid from Winchester to Petersburg, cutting three railroads, two canals, telegraph wires, destroying supplies, and leaving only one line of railroad by which supplies could

be brought to Lee's army. During this raid he defeated Early again at Waynesborough (q.v.). At Five Forks (q.v.) 1 April Sheridan turned Lee's flank, forcing him to evacuate Petersburg and begin the retreat to Appomattox. In the pursuit of Lee, Sheridan took a leading part, and when he had placed his army squarely across the Confederate line of march at Appomattox Court House the surrender took place (9 April).

From May 1865 to March 1867 Sheridan commanded the Military Division (later Department) of the Gulf. His strong force on the Mexican border encouraged the Liberals and forced the French to withdraw their support from Maximilian. In his 'Personal Memoirs' Sheridan states that material assistance was secretly given by the United States authorities to the Liberal army under Juarez, 30,000 muskets at one time being sent to the latter from the United States arsenal at Baton Rouge. After the passage of the reconstruction acts, in March 1867, Sheridan was placed in command of the fifth Military District, consisting of Louisiana and Texas, with headquarters at New Orleans. His career as military governor was a stormy one. He was in favor of radical measures in dealing with the conquered Southerners, and in the troubles that arose in his district he was supported by General Grant and opposed by President Johnson, who sent several messengers to him in the endeavor to influence him to a more moderate course. Sheridan, believing that severe measures were necessary, refused to conform to the suggestions of the President's agents, and Johnson, after Sheridan's wholesale removal of civil officers, relieved him from command of the Fifth Military District in September 1867. General Grant strenuously protested, but Johnson was firm and Sheridan was transferred to the Department of the Missouri. In 1869, when General Grant became President, Sheridan was made lieutenant-general. In 1870-71 he was with the German armies observing the campaigns of the Franco-German war; in 1875 was again sent to New Orleans on account of the political riots in that city; in 1878 commanded the Western and Southwestern Military Divisions; in 1883 succeeded Sherman as commander-inchief of the army; and in 1888 was made general. In person, General Sheridan was short and stout, with rather harsh features. In manner he was gruff, but not unkind. He was trusted by his soldiers, who called him "Little Phil" and believed him invincible. He married, in 1879, Miss Rucker, daughter of Gen. D. H. Rucker of the United States army. In religion, General Sheridan was a devout Roman Catholic. He always refused to enter politics. An equestrian statue has been erected in his honor at Albany, N. Y.

Consult Sheridan, 'Personal Memoirs' (1888); Davies, General Sheridan' (1895); Newhall, With General Sheridan in Lee's Last Campaign) (1866).

WALTER L. FLEMING, Professor of History, Vanderbilt University. SHERIDAN, Richard Brinsley, English dramatist, orator and statesman: b. Dublin, Ireland, 30 October 1751; d. London, 7 July 1816. His father, Thomas Sheridan, was an actor; his mother was a dramatist and novelist.

At the age of seven he was taken to London. From 1762 to 1768 he attended Harrow school, where, in collaboration with a fellow-pupil named Halhed, he wrote a farce called Jupiter. In 1771 he moved to Bath, where he learned at first hand the foibles of the fashionable world. Among the people that he met was the eminent composer, Thomas Linley. Linley's daughter, well-known as a singer, was a lovely and coquettish girl with many admirers. To shield her from the persecutions of a Major Mathews, Sheridan arranged to escort her to a French convent. Near Calais he became secretly married to her; his age was 21 and hers 18. Linley brought them back to Bath and separated them. After his return, Sheridan fought two duels with Mathews, disarming his opponent the first time and being himself seriously wounded the second. On 13 April 1773, he married Miss Linley openly.

At a very early age he began writing for the theatre. On 17 January 1775, his farcecomedy, The Rivals,' was produced at Covent Garden. It failed and was withdrawn. In a revised form it reappeared on 28 January, and is still being played. His farce, Saint Patrick's Day,' was first acted on 2 May 1775. It was followed on 21 Nov. 1775, by The Duenna, a comic-opera, whose great success eclipsed the popularity of Gay's 'Beggar's Opera. In 1776 he succeeded Garrick as manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He was careless in business, but his personal popularity atoned for his practical shortcomings. He produced a revision of Vanbrugh's 'Relapse,' called A Trip to Scarborough,' 24 Feb. 1777. On 8 May 1777, he presented at Drury Lane one of the greatest comedies of all time, The School for Scandal.' He was then only 25. A farce called The Critic,' in which he satirized his jealous rival, Cumberland, was performed 29 Oct 1779. This practically closed his career as a dramatist; though on 24 May 1799, he produced 'Pizarro,) a melodrama adapted from the German of Kotzebue.

His gaiety and talent made him a great favorite in society. On 12 Sept. 1780 he was elected to the Commons for Stafford, and began a remarkable parliamentary career. He developed wondrous power as an orator, and was unexcelled for brilliancy and eloquence. He was conspicuous in the impeachment of Warren Hastings. On 7 Feb. 1787 his great speech before the House of Commons, relating to the Princesses of Oude, held his auditors enthralled for five hours and a half. Hardly less effective was his speech at the arraignment of Hastings in Westminster Hall, June 1788. Throughout his public career he maintained the reputation of a pure and independent statesman.

His wife died 1792; and on 27 April 1795 he married Esther Jane Ogle. His income from Drury Lane averaged £10,000; but he often overdrew his resources to lead a dazzling social life. From 1791 to 1794 the Theatre Royal was rebuilt at ruinous expense to Sheridan; and the destruction of the new house by fire in 1809 involved him in serious financial difficulties. In 1812 he failed of re-election to Parliament; and in August 1813 he was arrested for debt. His health, weakened by social dissipations, failed rapidly; and he died