Joseph Reed (playwright) facts for kids

Joseph Reed (born March 1723 – died 15 August 1787) was an English writer. He was known for writing plays and poems. His most famous works include the funny play The Register Office from 1761 and a musical play based on Henry Fielding's famous book Tom Jones from 1769.

Early Life and First Plays

Joseph Reed was born in Stockton, Durham, in March 1723. He was the second son of John Reed, who made ropes. Joseph didn't get much formal schooling. After his father, he took over the family rope-making business. He was very good at it and continued it throughout his life.

In his free time, Joseph loved to study English books and wanted to become a writer. But he always saw himself as someone who wrote for fun, not as a full-time job. When he published his works, he often called himself "a halter-maker" (someone who makes ropes for animals).

In 1744, Joseph's poem about the death of Mr. Pope was printed in a magazine called Gentleman's Magazine. The next year, he printed a short, funny play called The Superannuated Gallant in Newcastle. In 1757, he moved his business and family to London. His play Madrigal and Trulletta, a funny, over-the-top tragedy, was performed in 1758. Some critics thought it was too long. Joseph later wrote a sharp reply to a critic named Tobias Smollett.

A Popular Play: The Register Office

Joseph Reed found more success with a lively and funny play called The Register Office. It was first performed in London in 1761. Some of the characters were removed by the stage censor, but the full version was published. Joseph claimed that another writer, Samuel Foote, had copied one of his characters for another play. The Register Office remained popular for a long time and was included in many play collections.

Joseph also wrote a serious play about Dido, a queen from ancient stories. He even met with the famous writer Samuel Johnson to show him his work. Johnson later joked that Joseph insisted on reading the long play to him! Dido was performed in 1767. The play was later printed in 1792, but sadly, all the copies were destroyed in a fire before they could be sold.

Bringing Tom Jones to the Stage

Joseph Reed was friends with the famous author Henry Fielding. Fielding had written a very successful book called The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. Joseph worked on turning this story into a comic opera, which is a play with singing and music that is usually funny. Henry Fielding encouraged him to do this.

The musical play opened in London in 1769 and was performed many times. Fielding publicly praised Joseph's version of his story.

Joseph's last play to be performed was The Impostors, or a Cure for Credulity in 1776. This play was based on another famous story called Gil Blas. Joseph Reed passed away on 15 August 1787, at the age of 64, in London. He was buried in Bunhill Fields. He had married Sarah Watson in 1750, and they had three children who survived him.

Other Works

Joseph Reed also published other writings, including:

• A British Philippic inscribed to the Earl of Granville, a poem from 1756.
• The Tradesman's Companion, or Tables of Averdupois Weight, a book of tables for measurements from 1762.
• An Epitaph on the … Earl of Chatham, a tribute poem from 1784.
• St. Peter's Lodge, a Serio-comic Legendary Tale in Hudibrastic Verse, a long poem from 1786.
• A Rope's End for Hempen Monopolists, a pamphlet from 1786. This was an attack on people who were trying to control the market for hemp (the plant used to make ropes).

In 1761, Joseph wrote for a newspaper called the Monitor. In 1764, he shared a funny story about his own life in a magazine called the Universal Museum.