William Henry Ireland
William Henry Ireland | |
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William Henry Ireland, hand-coloured stipple engraving by Frederick Mackenzie after Unknown artist, 1818, National Portrait Gallery, London. | |
| Born | 2 August 1775 London |
| Died | 17 April 1835 (aged 59) Sussex Place, St George's-in-the-Fields, London |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation(s) | clerk, writer, illustrator |
| Known for | Ireland Shakespeare forgeries |
| Notable work | Vortigern and Rowena |
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William Henry Ireland (1775–1835) was an English forger of would-be Shakespearean documents and plays. He is less well known as a poet, writer of gothic novels and histories. Although he was apparently christened William-Henry, he was known as Samuel through much of his life (apparently after a brother who died in childhood), and many sources list his name as Samuel William Henry Ireland.