Hugh Kelly

Kelly, Hugh (1739-1777), dramatist; born in Killarney, Co. Kerry. He moved to London in 1760 and took a succession of jobs before becoming editor of the Court Magazine then John Newbury's Public Ledger in 1768. Thespis (1766), a satirical poem on the actors at Drury Lane, earned him the favour of David Garrick, whom he adulated. This led to the production of his great success, False Delicacy (1768), which appeared at Drury Lane. The plays from Kelly's hand that followed are concerned with fashionable English life and love intrigues, all written in the sentimental mode. Other pieces were Clementina (1771), a tragedy; A School for Wives (1773), a comedy; and The Romance of an Hour (1774). The Man of Reason (1776) failed, and proved his last attempt.

Kelly, Hugh, 1739–77, English dramatist, b. Killarney. His first and best-known play, the sentimental comedy False Delicacy, was produced by Garrick in 1768 and was extremely popular in its time.

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