Francis Gentleman
Francis Gentleman (23 October 1728 - 21 December 1784) was an Irish actor, poet, and dramatic writer of 18th century. He wrote several plays, dramatic works, poems and edited Shakspeare's plays for the stage.
Also recorded as Sir Humphrey Lunatic · Sir Nicholas Nipclose · Nicholas Lunatic
Francis Gentleman
- Born
- 1728
- Died
- 1784
- Occupation
- poet · actor · playwright
- Languages
- English
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Francis Gentleman (23 October 1728 - 21 December 1784) was an Irish actor, poet, and dramatic writer of 18th century. He wrote several plays, dramatic works, poems and edited Shakspeare's plays for the stage.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
No house-authored Note is published until its assertions and sources pass the VALÉORINE evidence contract. The documentary article remains available in full while that enrichment is being consolidated.
Documentary enrichment in progress · no unsupported statement published
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Francis Gentleman. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
Documentary evidence
Evidence Panel
identity unresolved · checked 25 September 2026
- Identity
- unresolved
- Independent source families
- 0
- Admitted assertions
- 0
- Open conflicts
- 0
Authority files
wikidata · Q5481050 · wikipedia · Francis Gentleman
In this article
Biography
Biography
Gentleman was born at York St., Dublin, Ireland, on 23 October 1728 to an army captain. He received his education in Dublin and served in the army till dismissed in 1748. While at school, he met John Dexter and Henry Mossop; they shared an interest in the theatre, and after leaving the army, Gentleman took to the stage. He first appeared in Thomas Southerne's stage play Oroonoko - in the character of Aboan. Later, he appeared in Dublin, London, Edinburgh, and many more. He started his career of writing for the stage in England, notably, tragic works like Sejanus and The Sultan of Love and Fame; and comedies like The Modish Wife and The Tobacconist. His writings were not successful or admired. He died at the age of 56 on 21 December 1784.
Family
Family
He was married to Ruth and he was a father.
Selected works
Selected works
• Sejanus (1751) • Narcissa and Eliza (1754) • A Trip to the Moon (1765) • The Sultan of Love and Fame (1770) • The Dramatic Censor (1770) • The Censor (1770) • Tobacconist (1771) • The Modish Wife (1773)
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Baldwin, Charles N. A universal biographical dictionary. Biography & Autobiography. 209. 1825.
- 2.Library Ireland. Francis Gentleman. Biographica Dramatica.
- 3.Francis Gentleman. Dictionary of Irish Biography.
- 4.Francis Gentleman. Library Ireland.
- 5.Answers Corporation. Francis Gentleman.
- 6.'Narcissa and Eliza. A dramatic tale', by Francis Gentleman. University of Michigan.
- 7.Francis Gentleman. Open Library.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 25 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Books
38,582 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Francis Ellingwood AbbotAuthor
- Francis FahyAuthor
- Francis FawkesAuthor
- Francis Fisher BrowneAuthor
- Francis GodwinAuthor
- Francis HarveyAuthor
- Francis Harvey GreenAuthor
- Francis Hastings DoyleAuthor
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Francis Gentleman?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.