Reynolds, Frederick

1764

1841

The person identified as T. Reynolds (No.12) in Harlow’s painting of the Trial Scene in "Henry VIII" perhaps was Frederic Reynolds, the dramatist who is noticed in the DNB. He was born in Lime Street, London, on 1 November 1764, the son of a prominent Whig attorney. He entered the Middle Temple on 12 January 1782 but abandoned the law for playwriting. His first play, "Werter", based on Goethe’s novel, was produced at Bath on 25 November 1785 and then at Covent Garden Theatre on 14 March 1786. Subsequently Reynolds wrote nearly 100 plays, many of which were printed and some produced. From 1814 to 1821 he was engaged at Covent Garden as a ‘thinker’ – perhaps what is now called a dramaturg. He later performed the same duties for Elliston at Drury Lane. His last play was a pantomime at the Adelphi, Christmas 1840. He died on 16 April 1841. He had married in March 1799 Elizabeth Mansel (d. 1848), who acted at Covent Garden in the 1790s and is noticed in the BDA 10: 70-72. In 1826 he published his autobiographical two-volume "The Life and Times of Frederic Reynolds". Reynolds became a member of the Garrick Club in November 1831, soon after its founding, but he resigned in February 1834. His son Frederic Mansel Reynolds (d. 1850) was also a dramatist and is noticed in the DNB.