MORTON, Thomas, a successful writer of comedy, was born at Durham in 1764. After attending school at London, he enrolled as a student of Lincoln's Inn; but his love for dramatic amusements led him to spend his evenings in the theatres, and to study the drama more than the law. The knowledge of stage effect which he thus acquired was employed in the production of numerous plays. By their skilfully-arranged scenes, their strongly-contrasted characters, and their sudden transitions of feeling, these dramas secured the attention of mixed audiences. The acting of Lewis, Munden, and Emery greatly increased their effect. Accordingly, several of them, such as The Way to get Married, A Cure for the Heart-Ache, Speed the Plough, The School of Reform, and The Invincibles, secured a footing on the stage, which they still retain. Morton died in 1838.