Etheridge, George (Etherege George)

(ca. 1634 - ca. 1691)
The exact location (London, Oxfordshire and Bermuda) and date of birth unknown, died in Paris, Etheridge, the exact date is unknown. In his youth, perhaps, studied at Cambridge University and the 'Inns of Court' in London, traveled to France and Flanders, returning to London, led a secular lifestyle. In 1668-1671 served as secretary of the British Ambassador to Turkey, he married a rich widow and bought himself a knighthood, since 1685 and 1689 was the British envoy to Ratisbon (Regensburg) in Germany.
Etheridge wrote three comedies that have created it by no means undisputed reputation as the founder of the Restoration comedy. The play is comic vengeance, or Love in a barrel (Comical Revenge, or Love in Tub, 1664), written in prose interspersed with heroic couplets, is a mix of local color, of gallantry, romance, picaresque tricks and wit. She would like to play, if I could (She Would If She Could, 1668) written easily and naturally, but enjoyed less success than the previous. Only in 1676, Etheridge wrote his last and most famous comedy dandy, or Sir flittering dandy (The Man of Mode, or Sir Fopling Flutter). In the comedy naturedly mocked dissolute life of secular loafers.