Griffith, Elizabeth (c. 1720–1793)
Griffith, Elizabeth (c. 1720–1793)
Welsh-Irish playwright and novelist. Born in Glamorganshire, Wales, c. 1720; died in Millicent, Nass, Co. Kildare, Ireland, Jan 5, 1793; dau. of Thomas Griffith (well-known Dublin actor-manager) and Jane (Foxcroft) Griffith (dau. of a Yorkshire cleric); m. Richard Griffith, c. 1752; children: two.
Born in Wales, brought up in Ireland, was educated and trained by actor-manager father for the theater; made acting debut with Thomas Sheridan's Dublin company (1749); moved to London (1753) and minor roles at Covent Garden; when husband's business failed (1750s), published her courtship letters, A Series of Genuine Letters between Henry and Frances, by subscription to support the family (1757); with their success, wrote 1st comedy, The Platonic Wife, an adaptation of a play by Marmontel (1765), then wrote The School for Rakes, an adaptation of Beaumarchais' Eugénie, which opened at Drury Lane with Kitty Clive in lead (Feb 1769); wrote other plays and 3 successful novels.
See also D. Eshelman, Elizabeth Griffith: A Biographical and Critical Study (1949); and Women in World History.