Edward Moore (dramatist)
An 18th-century playwright whose moral drama 'The Gamester' became a smash hit, exposing the ruinous glamour of gambling for London theatergoers.
1712–1757 (age 45)·English dramatist and writer·Birthday: March 22
Biography
Edward Moore carved out a modest but memorable place in Georgian theater not with light comedy, but with a sobering lesson. The son of a dissenting minister, he worked in the linen trade before finding his voice as a writer of fables and periodical essays. His breakthrough came in 1753 with 'The Gamester,' a tragedy co-written with the actor David Garrick. The play was a sensation. It told the story of Beverley, a man whose addiction to gambling destroys his family and leads to his own demise. Its success lay in its stark, modern morality, reflecting real societal anxieties in an age of growing wealth and risk. While Moore wrote other works, including the comedy 'Gil Blas,' it was 'The Gamester' that secured his legacy. Its powerful critique of vice ensured it remained a staple on the English stage for over a century, a testament to Moore's sharp eye for the dramas of everyday ruin.
#1 When Edward Was Born
The biggest hits of 1712
Edward's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1712Born
1717Started school
1725Became a teenager
1728Could drive
1730Could vote
1733Turned 21
1742Turned 30
1752Turned 40
1757Died at 45
Key Achievements
- Wrote 'The Gamester' (1753), a hugely successful tragedy that became a standard in English theater for over a hundred years.
- Collaborated closely with the famous actor-manager David Garrick on the production of 'The Gamester.'
- Published a collection of fables, 'Fables for the Female Sex,' in 1744.
Did You Know?
He was originally apprenticed to a linen draper before turning to writing.
Moore contributed to and possibly edited the periodical 'The World.'
His play 'The Gamester' was adapted into a French version by Voltaire.
“Gaming, like other vices, is more easily prevented than cured.”
