Richard Tickell facts for kids

Portrait of Richard Tickell by Thomas Gainsborough (around 1778–1780)

Richard Tickell (1751–1793) was an English writer who created plays and satirical works. A satirist is someone who uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize people's mistakes or foolishness.

Who Was Richard Tickell?

Richard Tickell was born in 1751 and passed away in 1793. He was the second of five children born to John Tickell and Esther Pierson. His grandfather was a famous poet named Thomas Tickell.

Early Life and Education

Before Richard was born, his family moved from Dublin to New Windsor, England. Richard is believed to have been born in Bath. He later built a house there called Beaulieu House.

It's thought that Richard might have gone to schools like Harrow or Winchester. He also might have worked as an assistant at Eton. In 1768, he started studying law at the Middle Temple. He later became a commissioner in bankruptcy, which is a legal role. He lost this job for a short time but got it back with help from his friend, the famous actor David Garrick.

Tickell's Career in Writing

Richard Tickell was known for his clever writing and his ability to use satire. He was encouraged by a politician named Sheridan to write in support of another politician, Charles James Fox.

Successful Plays and Works

On October 15, 1778, Tickell's musical show, The Camp, was a big hit at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Just three weeks later, he was too busy with other projects to write a special introduction for David Garrick. One of these projects was a satirical pamphlet called "Anticipation."

On July 25, 1780, Tickell married Mary Linley (1758–1787). She was a singer and the sister-in-law of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, another well-known playwright. After his marriage, Tickell was given rooms at Hampton Court Palace.

His three-act opera, The Carnival of Venice, was also very successful. It first showed at Drury Lane on December 13, 1781. For this opera, his sister-in-law Elizabeth Linley wrote some of the songs, and his wife Mary wrote the music. His last play for the theater was an adaptation of The Gentle Shepherd by Allan Ramsay, which was first performed on May 27, 1789.

Other Writings

Some of Richard Tickell's other plays and pamphlets include:

• The Wreath of Fashion (1778)
• The Green Box of Monsieur de Sartine (1779), which he adapted from a French work.

Family Life

Sarah Ley by Richard Cosway

In 1789, Tickell married his second wife, Sarah. She was the daughter of Captain Ley, who worked for the East India Company.

After Richard Tickell's death, Sheridan helped care for the children from Tickell's first marriage. He helped one son, Richard (1782–1805), join the Navy. He also helped another son, Samuel (1785–1817), get a job in India.

Tickell also had another daughter named Zipporah. She later married Ebenezer Roebuck, who also worked for the East India Company. Zipporah became the mother of John Arthur Roebuck (1802–1879), who became a notable politician.