James Robinson Planch (1796-1880), dramatist, was born in Piccadilly, London, on 27 February 1796. He received tuition from the age of eight, and was articled to a bookseller in 1810. In 1818 his burlesque Amoroso, king of Little Britain was produced at Drury Lane, London. Thereafter Planch wrote many pieces for the theatres of London. He was musical manager at Vauxhall Gardens in 1826-1827, and became manager of the Adelphi in 1830. He established connections in London with the Olympic, Covent Garden, and the Lyceum, under Madame Vestris. Planch wrote a History of British costumes in 1834, and became Somerset herald in 1866. He died at Chelsea on 30 May 1880.
Heinrich August Marschner (1795-1861), German composer, wrote operas, ensemble works and songs. His most famous works are The Vampyr (1928), Der Templer und die Jdin (1829), and Hans Heiling (1833).
Wilhelm August Wohlbrck (1795-1861), composer, was Marschner's brother-in-law, and wrote the libretto for The Vampyr .
From the guide to the James Robinson Planch: The Vampire, 1829, (Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives)
