MOORE, EDWARD, a dramatist of the last century, was the son of a dissenting minister, and was born at Abingdon in Berkshire in 1712. He followed the business of a linen-draper for some time in London, but was forced by ill fortune to become a literary adventurer. His first poetical work, entitled Fables for the Female Sex (1744), imitated with success the pungency and flowing versification of Gay. It speedily became popular, and secured for its author the patronage of several men of influence. A favour shown him by Lord Lyttelton was the occasion of his next work, a complimentary effusion, styled The Trial of Selim the Persian. Moore then turned his attention to the drama. His two comedies, The Foundling (1748), and Gil Blas (1749), were unsuccessful. But his rare power of riveting the attention by a tale of domestic sorrow secured for his tragedy The Gamesster a footing on the stage, which it still retains. It was published in 1753, and has been often reprinted. Hitherto the labours of Moore had not been sufficiently remunerative. He was therefore installed as editor of The World, a periodical which had been established by his friend Lyttelton, for the purpose of affording him a sure income. In this office he continued until the serial was brought to a close in February 1757. By this time sixty-one papers had been contributed by his own hand. He died while the last number of his periodical was passing through the press. A quarto edition of his Poems, Fables, and Plays was published in 1756, and a separate issue of his Dramatic Works appeared in 1788.