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William Haughton

William Haughton (fl. 1598), was an English playwright. He collaborated in many plays with Henry Chettle, Thomas Dekker, John Day and Richard Hathway.

The only certain biographical information about him is derived from Philip Henslowe, who on March 10, 1600 lent him ten shillings "to release him out of the Clink." Mr Fleay credits him with a considerable share in The Patient Grissill (1599), and a merry comedy entitled English-Men for my Money, or A Woman will have, her Will (1598) is ascribed to his sole authorship. The Devil and his Dame, mentioned as a forthcoming play by Henslowe in March 1600, is identified by Mr Fleay as Grim, the Collier of Croydon, which was printed in 1662. In this play an emissary is sent from the infernal regions to report on the conditions of married life on earth.

Grim is reprinted in vol. viii,, and English-Men for my Money iii vol. 5, of WC Hazlitt's edition of Dodsley's Old Plays.

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