George Farquhar

Background

Farquhar was born in Derry in 1677. He was one of seven children born to William Farquhar, a clergyman of modest means.

Education

George Farquhar studied at Londonderry and at Trinity College, Dublin.

Career

George left college after two years to become an actor. He joined a company performing on the Dublin stage, probably through his acquaintance with the well-known actor Robert Wilks. Some of the roles reportedly played by Farquhar were Lennox in Shakespeare's Macbeth, Young Bellair in The Man of Mode by George Etherege, Lord Dion in Philaster by Beaumont and Fletcher, and Guyomar in The Indian Emperor by John Dryden.

Soon he discovered his talent in writing comedy. His popularity, however, was offset by his easygoing, improvident nature.

George Farquhar's first plays, Love and a Bottle (1698), The Constant Couple, or, A Trip to the Jubilee (1699), and Sir Harry Wildair (1701), the second of which brought him fame and money, were in the old libertine school.

The Twin Rivals (1702), however, showed signs of incipient sentimentalism.

Today, Farquhar is remembered only for his last two plays, The Recruiting Officer (1706) and The Beaux' Stratagem (1707). The Beaux' Stratagem, however, excelled its predecessor with its story of the adventures of two London beaux, Aimwell and Archer, who come to the country looking for romance--and who find it.

Farquhar died on 29 April 1707, not quite two months after the opening of this last play.

Achievements

• Last of the major writers of Restoration comedy, Farquhar was affected in some measure by the new school of moral reaction which arose during his career. His first plays, Love and a Bottle (1698), The Constant Couple, or, A Trip to the Jubilee (1699), and Sir Harry Wildair (1701), the second of which brought him fame and money, were in the old libertine school. The Twin Rivals (1702), however, showed signs of incipient sentimentalism. Today, Farquhar is remembered only for his last two plays, The Recruiting Officer (1706) and The Beaux' Stratagem (1707). Both these plays, exceptional in their day because they had country settings which were treated sympathetically, may have been inspired by a trip which Farquhar made to Shrewsbury to recruit for the army, in which he had taken a commission some time before. The success of The Recruiting Officer was partly due to the debut of Anne Oldfield, whom Farquhar discovered and cast in the disguise of a male volunteer. The Beaux' Stratagem, however, excelled its predecessor with its story of the adventures of two London beaux, Aimwell and Archer, who come to the country looking for romance--and who find lieutenant Farquhar's robust humor, his constantly shifting action, his country types (such as Lady Bountiful, the innkeeper Boniface in league with the highwaymen, and the country squire Sullen), combined with the prickings of his heroes' consciences in dubious situations, have ensured this play continuing popularity.

Works

• book

  • The Constant Couple - or, A Trip to the Jubilee

Connections

George Farquhar was married to Margaret Pemell.