Henry Shirley (dramatist)

Henry Shirley (died 31 October 1627) was an English dramatist. He was the second son of Sir Thomas Shirley of Wiston, Sussex and his first wife, Frances Vavasour. Very little is known of Shirley's life other than his unfortunate death, which occurred in London at the Chancery Lane home of Sir Edward Bishopp, then a Member of Parliament for Steyning. Sir Edward was committed by the terms of a bequest to pay Shirley an annual annuity of £40 and the latter had called to collect it. Bishopp, reputedly drunk, attacked the unarmed playwright and ran him through with his sword. He then made his escape but was captured and sentenced to be burned on the hand. He was, however, later pardoned. Shirley was declared killed without descendants. rdf:langString