Joseph Richardson (1755–1803)

Joseph Richardson(1755–1803) was an English author and politician.

Joseph Richardson

Life

Born atHexham,Northumberland,he was the only child of Joseph Richardson, a tradesman there. He was educated at Haydon Bridge school, and admitted sizar atSt John's College, Cambridge,on 4 July 1774. His father's means were insufficient for the complete education of his son, and the cost of his residence at college was borne by a titled lady of Northumberland who discovered his talents, but in 1778 she cut off her contributions. Although he was readmitted as pensioner on 25 September 1780, he left the university without taking a degree.

Richardson, intended as he was for the church, entered theMiddle Templeon 24 March 1781, where he was dulycalled to the bar.In London he in fact concentrated on journalism, and after appearing as counsel in a few contested election petitions, gave up the legal profession.

Richardson's earliest journalistic post was on the staff ofThe Morning Post,then still a Whig paper, and he later became one of its proprietors. While connected with thePosthe fought a duel inHyde ParkwithSir Henry Bate Dudley,and was wounded in the right arm. He also contributed letters, signed "Englishman", to a paper calledThe Citizen.

Richard Wilson,Member of Parliament forIpswichand an old friend, introduced Richardson to theDuke of Northumberland.The Duke's influence brought him the seat ofNewport in Cornwallin Parliament, from 1796 until his death. He never had the confidence to speak in the House of Commons.

For many years Richard assistedRichard Brinsley Sheridanin the management ofDrury Lane Theatre,and ultimately acquired a share in the property. (The money for this purchase was mainly from the Duke of Northumberland, and on Richardson's death the Duke cancelled the loan.) His comedy,The Fugitive,was brought out at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket by the Drury Lane Company with success on 20 April 1792, and, when printed, passed through three editions. The prologue was byRichard Tickelland the epilogue byJohn Burgoyne.Richardson also wrote the prologue to theGlorious First of June,the after-piece which was acted at Drury Lane on 2 July 1794 for the benefit of the widows and children of the sailors who died at thenaval battle of that name.

Despite failing health, Richardson stuck to the rigorous parliamentary life. One night he remained in the House of Commons until five o'clock in the morning to record his vote in the small minority withCharles James Fox.He then went to the Wheatsheaf Inn, nearVirginia Water,and died on 9 June 1803. He was buried inEghamchurchyard on 13 June.

Works

As a satirist, Richard was best known for his contributions to theRolliadand theProbationaryodes—publications each of which passed through 21 editions. For the former Richardson wrote Nos. 4, 10, and 11 in part i. and 3 and 4 in part ii.; while for the latter he wrote Nos. 4 and 19, theDelavaliad,other poems, and much of the prose. He wrote many other fugitive pieces for the Whigs, and contributed to thePolitical Miscellanies(1790). His best-known satire was entitledJekyll, an Eclogue(see underJoseph Jekyll). He published for his party in 1787 an anonymous pamphlet, calledThe complete Investigation of Mr. Eden's Treaty,which embodied reputable commercial statistics.

Sarah Richardson published by subscriptionLiterary Relics of the late Joseph Richardson(1807). This included the playThe Fugitive,a few short poems, and a sketch of his life, written by John Taylor. Some letters by Richardson are inSamuel Parr'sWorksand inThomas Moore'sSheridan.

Family

Richardson's wife Sarah, a relative ofIsaac Watts,survived him, with four daughters.

Notes

Attribution

This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Lee, Sidney,ed. (1896). "Richardson, Joseph (1755-1803)".Dictionary of National Biography.Vol. 48. London: Smith, Elder & Co.