KONGRA William

Stamping, WILLIAM (Congreve, William) (1670-1729), English dramatist of the Restoration period. Born January 24, 1670 in Bardsi (Yorkshire). In 1681 Kongrivy moved to Kilkenny, the boy identified in a boarding school. In 1686 he enrolled at Trinity College, Dublin University, where he not only received an excellent education, but also had the opportunity to see theater productions 'Smoke-Ally'. After the Revolution of 1688 he returned to England. In 1691 was enrolled in law school 'Middle Temple', but preferred to spend time in the 'Coffee Will' and theaters in the neighborhood.

In 1692 published the novel "The Stranger" (Incognita). Encouraged by D. Draydenom who showed interest in his literary endeavors, Congreve gave the theater its first comedy "old bachelor" (The Old Bachelor), in March 1693 the play was staged and had tremendous success with the public. "Double Game" (The Double-dealer, in December 1693) was met with a cool. But in April 1695 his play "Love for Love" (Love for Love) became a real event of the season. Soon Congreve was promoted to an excise official, but not too much zeal in the service, whiling away the time in the pleasant company of a good table.

In February 1697 they staged his most popular play - "The bride is in mourning" (The Mourning Bride), who pleased the then fashionable in the rhetorical tragedy. In March 1700 saw the publication of his most witty comedy "It comes in the light" (The Way of the Worlds). The pathos of this satire on the hypocrites, scoundrels, people insincere and perverse is that a reasonable person would not act as adopted, because the light is guided by the hypocrisy and deceit. Should practice the philosophy, which combines common sense, decency, education, honesty and wit.

At the age of thirty years Congreve left the theater. In 1705 he received a small post of excise official on sale of wine, and in 1714 became the Minister of Jamaica. Congreve died in London on January 19, 1729.