Congreve
WILLIAM, an English dramatist; born near Leeds in 1670. He entered himself as a student at the Middle Temple, but abandoned the law for literature. His first piece, written at the age of 17, was a romance, entitled, "Incognito, or Love and Duty Reconciled." In 1693, being then only 23 years old, he wrote his first comedy, "The Old Bachelor." This produced him not only great reputation, but a commissionership CONIFERÆ in the hackney-coach office, from the Earl of Halifax, who afterward still further patronized and favored him. He wrote also "Love for Love," "The Double Dealer," "The Mourning Bride," "The Way of the World," an opera, and some poems. He died in London, Jan. 19, 1729.