Jones, Henry Arthur, 1851-1929

Henry Arthur Jones was the son of a tenant farmer, and worked in the drapery business for some twenty years after leaving school. He developed a passion for drama, and found success with The Silver King, a play he co-authored with Henry Herman, which gave him the financial security to become a full-time writer. A prolific author, he wrote many plays, chiefly melodramas, and had great success in England and America. His themes and influences were chiefly British, and he is considered a pioneer of modern English drama, although his works are no longer performed. Jones was also a dogged social and political activist, and wrote numerous books and pamphlets about various topics.

From the description of Henry Arthur Jones letters and related material, 1921-1927. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 64552838

Epithet: dramatist

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000411.0x0002c3

Henry Arthur Jones (1851-1929) was a dramatic author. For fuller details of his life and work see Who was who, Vol.3, 1929-1940

From the guide to the Correspondence and a literary manuscript of Henry Arthur Jones, ca. 1854-1929, (GB 206 Leeds University Library)

British dramatist.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Hampstead, to "My dear Shelley", 1924 Oct. 28. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270487415

From the description of Henry Arthur Jones letters [manuscript], 1906-1924. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647998680

Henry Arthur Jones (1851-1929), British dramatist, was born at Grandborough, Buckinghamshire, England. He began working for a draper at the age of twelve, and later earned his living as a commercial traveller. After attending the theatre in London, he was inspired to write one-act plays. His first play to be produced, Its Only Round the Corner , was staged at the Theatre Royal, Exeter, in 1878. His first London production, A Clerical Error , premiered the following year. The Silver King which opened at the Princess Theatre, London, in 1882, established Jones's name as a dramatist. During his long career he wrote numerous plays, among his most successful were The Middleman (1889), The Dancing Girl (1891), The Tempter (1893), The Triumph of the Philistines (1895), Michael and his Lost Angel (1896), The Liars (1897) and The Hypocrites (1906). Jones also wrote numerous books and essays on the function of theatre, such as The renaissance of the English drama, 1883-94 (1895). He died in 1929.

From the guide to the Jones, Henry Arthur, 1887-1950, (Senate House Library, University of London)

Henry Arthur Jones (1851-1929) was an English dramatist and author. The son of a farmer, he was withdrawn from school at the age of 12 to begin working as a draper with his uncle. Following this he worked for a time as a commercial traveller. It wasn’t until the age of 27 that a dramatic work of his was first produced at a theatre. Only Round the Corner was staged in 1878 at the Exeter Theatre, swiftly followed by Hearts of Oak in 1879 at the same venue. The same year saw his first London staging; A Clerical Error, at the Court Theatre.

Gaining a commission from the manager of the Court he collaborated with Henry Herman on The Silver King, which was produced at the Princess’s Theatre in 1882 and was his first major success. A second collaboration with Herman resulted in Breaking a Butterfly (Prince’s, 1884), an English version of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House . Other significant works include Saints and Sinners, (Vaudeville, 1884), The Middleman (Shaftesbury, 1889), Judah (Shaftesbury, 1890) and The Dancing Girl starring Herbert Beerbohm Tree (Haymarket, 1891), The Bauble Shop (produced by Charles Wyndham at the Criterion, 1993) The Case of Rebellious Susan (Criterion, 1894), Michael and his Lost Angel (Lyceum, 1896), The Liars (Criterion, 1898), Mrs Dane’s Defense (Wyndham’s Theatre, 1900), Mary Goes First (Playhouse, 1913) and The Lie (New Theatre, 1923).

Jones visited the USA a number of times during his career, eventually building a reputation as a dramatist and receiving an honorary degree at Harvard University. He also maintained a secondary career as an author and public speaker. He wrote two volumes on the theatre; The Renascence of the English Drama and The Foundations of a National Drama and spent his final years attacking the political views of George Bernard Shaw and H.G. Wells in print.

Having lost his wife Jane Seeley in 1924, he spent the last years of his life living with his daughter and secretary Doris. He died at home in 1929 after years of ill-health.

From the guide to the Henry Arthur Jones Collection, ca.1840s-1931, (V&A Department of Theatre and Performance)