James Kenney (dramatist)

James Kenney (* 1780, † July 25, 1849 ) was an English playwright.

Biography

James was born the son of his father of the same name, a founding member of Boodles ' Club in London, which had been founded by William Petty.

To his friends included Charles Lamb and Samuel Rogers. He married the widow of Thomas Holcroft, who had died in 1809. With this he had two sons and two daughters; his second son Charles Lamb Kenney (1823-1881) made ​​a name for himself as a journalist, playwright and author.

Reception

Raising the wind was 1803, the first stage play, which he performed; to 1845 was followed by yet another fifty dramas and operas. When his most popular piece applies Sweethearts and Wives which he performed in 1823 at the Haymarket Theatre.

Works (selection)

• False alarm or my cousin. A comic opera in three acts. Longman, London, 1807.
• Spring and Autumn or married for money. A comic drama in two acts. Dicks, London 1827
• The Illustrious Stranger, or Married and Buried. Lacy, London 1827. German translation: Berheirathet and buried ( stage repertoire of foreign countries; Vol. 20). Hayn Verlag, Berlin, 1831 ( translated by Louis Schneider).