GEORGE FARQUHAR (1677-1707)
Born c. 1677, George Farquhar grew up in Londonberry, County Derry, Ireland. Raised under the roof of a clergyman – his father – Farquhar eventually entered Trinity College, where he studied for only two years, never obtaining a degree. Many say that Farquhar struggled at school due to his overall persona, and strong interest in performing. After Trinity, Farquhar performed in theatres, mainly as an actor on the Dublin stage. However, he ended his career rather quickly, by accidentally using a real sword in a staged duel, and risking a fatal injury to his fellow performer. Heavily influenced by his comrade, Robert Wilks, Farquhar wrote his first play, “Love and a Bottle,” which was performed in 1698. Some say that Farquhar served as a lieutenant in the army for Ireland, but many of his letters written at the time counter this belief. An infamous decision for Farquhar, he married in 1703, to a woman who promised a large fortune, but soon after, he realized that he had been swindled. Many view this decision as the major contributing factor to Farquhar’s rapid demise. Due to the marriage, his fight against poverty consumed him, as well as his efforts to support his two children. Moreover, Farquhar was deceived again, when a duke’s promise to compensate Farquhar for changing his title, never occurred. During the creation of his final, and most reputable, to date, play, Farquhar developed a terminal illness that would only see him to the very first few nights of “The Beaux Stratagem.” In all, Farquhar is lauded as a skillful playwright, whose knack for comedy and pointing out the ironies of the seemingly mundane activities of life stands the test of time. Despite his, often, unfortunate circumstances throughout his short life, Farquhar served a vital role, in furthering the nature of theatre, to a much broader lens, that incorporated many previously hushed topics, in a comedic manner. Therefore, Farquhar’s contribution to the theatre is timeless.