FARQUHAR, far'kwar, George, Irish dramatist : b. Londonderry 1678; d. April 1707. The son of a clergyman and himself intended for the Church, he was a student at Trinity College, Dublin, hut became an actor, and by accident having stabbed a fellow-player during a performance, gave up acting for good. About 1696-97 he went to London, where he com menced writing for the stage. His first pro duction was 'Love and a •ottle,' performed with great success in 1699. In 1700 he became a lieutenant in Orrery's Regiment, but later sold his commission. In 1700 he added to his reputa tion by his comedy of 'The Constant Couple,' in which, under the character of Sir Harry Wildair, he exhibited a lively picture of the foppish fine gentleman of the end of the 17th century. In 1701 appeared 'Sir Harry Wildair,) a sequel to the former; and the following year he published a volume of (Miscellanies.' 'The Inconstant, or the Way to Win Him,' appeared in 1703, and is among those which have kept poSsession of the stage. In 1706 appeared (The
Recruiting Officer,' one of his most popular plays; and this was succeeded by 'The Beaux' Stratagem,' which is reckoned his masterpiece. The last named was written in six weeks during its author's fatal illness; he had been given 130 for the copyright before beginning it; and it was the rage of the town while he lay dying in poverty. His wit is genuine and spontaneous, and his characters are admirably supported and drawn from nature. Ireland, the recruiting offi cer, the disbanded soldier, love and the bottle types and subjects are all done to the life. His plots excel in the arrangement of incidents and ita unity of action. The libertinism of language and sentiment which his works exhibit cannot be defended; but it was the vice of the age rather than the writer, who was much less culpable in this respect than Dryden or Wycher ley. Consult his 'Dramatic Works,' edited with a 'Life' by Ewald (London 1892).