William Haughton

Who was William Haughton?

William Haughton was an English playwright in the age of English Renaissance theatre. During the years 1597 to 1602 he collaborated in many plays with Henry Chettle, Thomas Dekker, John Day, Richard Hathwaye and Wentworth Smith.

Most of what little biographical information there is about him is derived from the papers of Philip Henslowe, proprietor of the Rose Theatre. Henslowe's earliest reference to him refers to him as "young" Haughton. He wrote all his known dramatic work for Henslowe, for production by the Admiral's Men and Worcester's Men.

A merry comedy entitled Englishmen for My Money, or A Woman will have her Will is ascribed to his sole authorship, and Fleay credits him with a considerable share in Patient Grissel. The latter attribution has been confirmed and refined by W. L. Halstead and by Cyrus Hoy, giving the subplot concerning Sir Owen the Welsh Knight and his wife Gwenthyan, as well as that concerning the Duke's sister Julia and her three foolish suitors to Haughton, leaving the main plot to Dekker and Chettle.