Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Burkhead, Henry

by Richard Charles Browne

BURKHEAD, HENRY (fl. 1645), dramatist, a merchant of Bristol, was author of a tragedy, ‘Cola’s Fury, or Lirenda’s Misery,’ which was never acted, and probably was not written for the stage (Baker). It was published at Kilkenny in 1646, on the cessation of arms granted by Lord Herbert, earl of Glamorgan, to whom it is effusively dedicated. It is an attempt to dramatise the Irish troubles. Lirenda is an obvious anagram for Ireland. The plot is confused and the language bombastic. Yet the author was assured by one friend that if his play were published the ‘fame of ne'er-enough-praised Shakespeare would decline,’ and others praised his work in similar terms.

[Burkhead's Works; Baker's Biog. Dram.]

R. C. B.