Colmajv. I. George, the elder, an English comic dramatist, born in Florence about 1733, died at Paddington, Aug. 14,1794. His father was British resident at the court of the grand duke of Tuscany. After receiving his early education at Westminster school, he became a student at Christchurch college, Oxford. He acquired a reputation for wit and talent, and published a weekly periodical called the " Connoisseur," from January, 1754, to September, 1756, which delineated the manners of the time with admirable humor. He studied law at Lincoln's Inn, and was admitted to the bar, but devoted himself to dramatic pursuits,, writing "Polly Honeycomb" and "The Jealous Wife." At the death of his uncle, Lord Bath, he came into possession of a handsome fortune. In 1766 he joined with Garrick in writing "The Clandestine Marriage," and in 1767 he became part owner of Covent Garden theatre, and was acting manager of it for seven years. In 1777 he purchased the Haymarket theatre, which he supplied with pieces either original or translated. He was the author of more than 30 dramatic pieces, a few of which still keep possession of the stage.

He was also a classical scholar, and made a translation of the comedies of Terence, and of Horace's "Art of Poetry." A paralytic stroke in 1790 resulted in his mental derangement, and he was removed to a lunatic asylum at Paddington. His "Dramatic Works" were published in 1777 (4 vols. 8vo), and his "Miscellaneous Works" in 1787 (3 vols. 12mo). II. George, the younger, son of the preceding, born Oct. 21, 1762, died Oct. 26, 1836. In 1785, in consequence of the illness of his father, he assumed the management of the Haymarket theatre, and retained it for a long time. In the latter part of his life he held the office of examiner of plays. He was distinguished as a wit, and divided with Sheridan the admiration of the London circles. He wrote "John Bull," "The Iron Chest," and "The Poor Gentleman," which still retain their popularity. He also wrote "Broad Grins," "Poetical Vagaries," etc, and various small poems.