William Haughton

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William Haughton (d. 1605), was an English playwright. During the years 1597 to 1602 he collaborated in many plays with Henry Chettle, Thomas Dekker, John Day, Richard Hathwaye and Wentworth Smith.

Most of what little biographical information about him is derived from the papers of Philip Henslowe, proprietor of the Rose Theatre. Henslowe's earliest reference to him refers to him as "young" Haughton. He wrote all his known dramatic work for Henslowe, for production by the Admiral's Men.

A merry comedy entitled English-Men for my Money, or A Woman will have her Will (1598) is ascribed to his sole authorship, and Fleay credits him with a considerable share in Patient Grissel (1599).

On March 10, 1600 Henslowe lent Haughton ten shillings "to release him out of the Clink."

The Devil and his Dame, mentioned as a forthcoming play by Henslowe in March 1600, is identified by 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.

Haughton made his will on June 6, 1605, with his sometime dramatic collaborator Wentworth Smith and one Elizabeth Lewes as witnesses. It was proved July 20, 1605. He was of Allhallows, Stainings, at that time. He left a widow Alice and children.

Known plays by Haughton, either singly or in conjunction with others, include:

Englishmen for My Money, or A Woman Will Have Her Will, ---. Stationer's Register entry August 3, 1601. Printed 1916, 1626, 1631.
The Poor Man's Paradise, August 1599. Not printed; possibly not finished.
Cox of Collumpton, with John Day, November 1599. Not printed.
Thomas Merry, or Beech's Tragedy, with John Day, November-December 1599. Not printed.
The Arcadian Virgin, with Henry Chettle, December 1599. Not printed; possibly not finished.
Patient Grissel, with Henry Chettle and Thomas Dekker, October-December 1599.
The Spanish Moor's Tragedy, with John Day and Thomas Dekker, February 1600. Not Printed; possibly not finished.
The Seven Wise Masters, with Henry Chettle, John Day and Thomas Dekker, March 1600. Not printed.
Ferrex and Porrex, March-April 1600. Not printed.
The English Fugitives, April 1600. Not printed; possibly not finished.
The Devil and His Dame, May 1600. Probably the extant anonymous play Grim the Collier of Croydon.
Strange News Out of Poland, with "Mr. Pett," possibly Peter Pett, May 1600. Not printed.
Judas, May 1600; apparently finished by William Bird and Samuel Rowley, December 1601. Not printed.
Robin Hood's Pennorths, December 1600-January 1601. Not printed; possibly not finished.
The Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green, Part II, with John Day, January-July 1601. Not printed.
The Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green, Part III, with John Day, January-July 1601. Not printed.
The Conquest of the West Indies, with John Day and Wentworth Smith, April-September 1601. Not printed.
The Six Yeomen of the West, with John Day, May-June 1601. Not printed.
Friar Rush and the Proud Woman of Antwerp, with Henry Chettle and John Day, July 1601-January 1602. Not printed.
Tom Dough, Part II, with John Day, July-September 1601. Not printed; possibly not finished.
The Six Clothiers, Part I, with Richard Hathwaye and Wentworth Smith, October-November 1601. Not printed.
The Six Clothiers, Part II, with Richard Hathwaye and Wentworth Smith, October-November 1601. Not printed; possibly not finished.
William Cartwright, September 1602. Not printed; possibly not finished.