Thomas Brereton

Who was Thomas Brereton?

Thomas Brereton, was an English dramatist.

Brereton was descended from a younger branch of the noble family of Brereton in Cheshire, his father being Major Thomas Brereton of the Queen's Dragoons.

He was born in 1691, He attended the free school of Chester, and a boarding school in the same city, kept by a Mr. Dennis, a French refugee, he matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford, 16 April 1709, proceeding B.A. 14 Oct. 1712.

His father died before he reached his majority, leaving him a considerable fortune, which, however, he soon dissipated, his wife and family being compelled by destitution to retire to their relations in Wales in 1721.

The same year he received from the government a small office connected with the customs at Chester.

In connection with the election of a relative as member of parliament for Liverpool he wrote a libellous attack on the rival candidate, and to escape prosecution was advised to abscond. To baffle pursuit he determined to cross the Saltney when the tide was coming in. In the middle of the stream he quit his horse, resolving to trust to his remarkable powers as a swimmer, but he was unable to reach the shore. His death took place in February 1722.