SHERIDAN, Thomas. The Life of the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick’s, Dublin.

Dublin: Printed for Luke White, Dame-Street, 1785. pp. [xx], 489, [3]. With a final advertisement leaf. Contemporary full calf, spine professionally rebacked, title in gilt on red morocco label. Mild foxing to endpapers. A very good copy.
COPAC locates 6 copies only. ESTC T100468.
Thomas Sheridan (1719-1788) Irish actor, theatre-manager and a teacher of elocution was born in Quilca, County Cavan, and was father of Charles Francis Sheridan and Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Thomas was the third son of Dr Thomas Sheridan, an Anglican divine, noted for his close friendship with Jonathan Swift, and his wife Elizabeth McFadden. His parents’ marriage was notoriously unhappy. Thomas attended Westminster School in 1732-1733 but, because of his father’s financial problems, he had to finish his initial education in Dublin. His godparent, Jonathan Swift, an early influence, taught him the importance of correct English and elocution. Sheridan made his debut as an actor in 1743, playing the title role in Shakespeare’s Richard III at Smock Alley, Dublin. In the next year or two he became immensely popular, and was, at the time, the most popular actor Ireland had ever seen. He became manager of the Smock Alley theatre, before moving permanently to England with his family in 1758. There Sheridan established himself as an educator and teacher of elocution. He lived in London for a number of years, until, in 1770, he moved to Bath, where he founded an academy.