On this day in 1809 the Drury Lane Theatre, owned by the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan, was burnt down. Sheridan sat in an armchair with a glass of wine to watch it burn saying: “A man may surely be allowed to take a glass of wine by his own fireside.”

Known for his ready wit, he wrote several delightful plays that are still regularly performed today. Most popular are The Rivals and The School for Scandal. The fire ruined Sheridan financially and he died with many debts although he knew most of the leading figures of the time, such as the Prince of Wales and Dr Samuel Johnson and was popular in society. He is buried at Westminster Abbey in Poets’ Corner.

Here is one of his poems:

Had I a heart for falsehood framed,
I ne’er could injure you;
For though your tongue no promise claimed,
Your charms would make me true:
To you no soul shall bear deceit,
No stranger offer wrong;
But friends in all the aged you’ll meet,
And lovers in the young.
For when they learn that you have blest
Another with your heart,
They’ll bid aspiring passion rest,
And act a brother’s part;
Then, lady, dread not here deceit,
Nor fear to suffer wrong;
For friends in all the aged you’ll meet,
And lovers in the young.

Today I give thanks for my family and friends and for all the wit and the happiness that they bring.