Author: Sullivan, William Francis
Biography:
SULLIVAN, William Francis (1756-1830: ODNB)
A succession of title-pages provides snapshots of Sullivan’s life from 1792 onwards. In 1792 the author identifies himself as the son of an eminent Irish professor of law, himself a university graduate (A.B.), currently assistant at an academy in Leeds, Yorkshire; in 1795 and later as a graduate (A.B.) and “Comedian,” i.e. actor, in various provincial theatres; and from at least 1816 as a graduate (A.M.) and “Teacher of Elocution and Belles-Lettres.” He was born in Dublin in 1756 to Francis Stoughton Sullivan (1715/16-1766) and his wife (possibly Elizabeth Farmer). He entered Trinity College Dublin in 1773 but there is no record of a degree in Alumni Dublinenses and in 1776 he joined the navy and served throughout the American War of Independence. At some point he married and in 1783 settled in England, first as a schoolteacher, then as an actor, and lastly as a teacher of elocution. His wife and daughter—their names not yet confirmed--also acted. His first published work was a farce, in 1791. There followed the works listed here: verses published by subscription in Leeds and the performance piece The Test of Union and Loyalty which Sullivan wrote, spoke, and sang himself. Another, The Prospect of Peace . . . [with] Oatlands, an Ode (Dorchester, 1797) appears in ESTC but has not been examined for this bibliography and may be under the ten-page minimum for inclusion. He retired from the stage some time before 1812 (Baker), resumed teaching, and turned to writing fiction, mainly short tales for young people such as The History of Mr. Rightway and his Pupils (1816), Young Wilfred (1817), The Recluse (1818), and The Orphans (1825). Ill health forced him to give up teaching and to rely on his pen. By 1819 he and his wife were starving in lodgings in London; the RLF awarded £5 three times 1819-21. His applications include the ms of a tragedy, “Leonidas,” which he was hoping to see staged in London. He might be the William Sullivan buried at St. Saviour’s, Southwark, on 26 May 1830. (“Sullivan, Francis Stoughton [1715/16-1766]” ODNB, DIB 15 Dec. 2024; findmypast.com 15 Dec. 2024; O’Donoghue, 239; Baker 1ii, 697-8; RLF #362)
Other Names:
- W. F. Sullivan