William Preston (poet) facts for kids

William Preston (born in 1753 – died on February 2, 1807) was an important Irish writer. He was known as a poet, a playwright (someone who writes plays), and an essayist (someone who writes short articles or stories).

William Preston's Life Story

William Preston was born in Dublin, Ireland, in an area called St. Michan's. When he was about 13 years old, in 1766, he started studying at Trinity College Dublin. This is a famous university in Ireland.

His Education and Career

He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1770. Then, he got a higher degree (M.A.) in 1773. After that, he went to London to study law at a place called the Middle Temple. This was a special school for people who wanted to become lawyers.

In 1777, he became a lawyer in Ireland. He even worked as a Commissioner of Appeals for a time. This was an important job in the legal system.

Helping New Organizations

William Preston was very involved in helping to create new groups. He helped start the Royal Irish Academy. This is a group for smart people who study science, history, and literature. He became its first secretary in 1786 and kept that job for the rest of his life.

He also helped to create the Dublin Library Society. This group helped people get access to books and learn more. He wrote articles for their publications.

William Preston was also a member of a group called the Monks of the Screw. He passed away on February 2, 1807, and was buried in St. Thomas's churchyard in Dublin.

William Preston's Writings

William Preston wrote many different types of works. He often wrote poems for newspapers and magazines. Some of his poems appeared in The Press, which was a newspaper for a group called the United Irishmen. He also wrote for the Sentimental and Masonic Magazine.

He contributed to a collection of funny writings called Pranceriana in 1784. These writings made fun of John Hely-Hutchinson, who was in charge of Trinity College at the time.

His Most Famous Play

His biggest success was a play called Democratic Rage. This play was a tragedy, which means it had a sad or serious ending. It was based on events happening during the French Revolution.

Democratic Rage was first performed in Dublin in 1793. It was so popular that it was printed three times in just three weeks!

Other Notable Works

Here are some other works William Preston wrote:

• Heroic Epistle of Mr. Manly … to Mr. Pinchbeck (1775): A funny poem.
• Heroic Epistle to Mr. Twiss (1775): Another funny poem aimed at a writer named Richard Twiss.
• The Female Congress, or the Temple of Cottyto (1779): A long, funny poem.
• Offa and Ethelbert, or the Saxon Princes (1791): A tragedy play.
• Messina Freed (1793): Another tragedy play.
• The Adopted Son: A tragedy play.
• Rosmanda (1793): A tragedy play.
• Poetical Works (1793): A collection of his poems.
• The Siege of Ismail (1794): A tragedy play.
• The Argonautics of Apollonius Rhodius (1803): He translated this ancient Greek poem into English.
• Posthumous Poems (1809): Poems published after he died, edited by Hon. Frances Preston.

See also

• Thomas Preston, 1st Viscount Tara
• William Preston (Virginia soldier)