Brough, William I W. Brough, Brough l, 1826-1870, writer. Like his brother Robert [also a Household Words contributor], attended a school in Newport, Monmouthshire. For a time apprenticed to a printer. His first literary effort, a series of papers titled "Hints upon Heraldry," appeared in his brother's Liverpool Lion. Later, wrote for London periodicals. Alone and in collaboration with his brother, also in collaboration with Andrew Halliday, composed extravaganzas, farces, and other stage entertainments. His Field of the Cloth of Gold, first produced at Strand Theatre, 1868, played 298 times. Was member of Dramatic Authors' Society. 

      Brough's literary reputation was overshadowed by that of his younger brother. Yates (Recollections and Experiences, p. 213) contrasted the two by the comment that "Robert the brilliant was sallow and sickly" whereas "William the methodical was neat and wholesome." Neither had much in worldly goods. On learning that the actress Anne Romer was to marry William Brough, Dickens wrote to Bulwer-Lytton, Feb. 6, 1851: " ... I fear her husband will have to refer the baker to the Haymarket Treasury, oftener than is hopeful." 
      The first two items listed below ["Plurality of Mites" XIV, 95-96. Aug. 9, 1856; "Next Week" XVI, 46-48. July 11, 1857] are assigned in the Office Book to W. Brough , the third, merely to "Brough." William Brough's authorship of that item is established by the Office Book memorandum that accompanies "Next Week": "2.2 for the other paper 'The best Man.'" For "Something Like a Dramatic Author" and "The Last Devil's Walk," assigned merely to "Brough," see Robert Brough. 
                                                                                                                         D.N.B.

Author: Anne Lohrli; © University of Toronto Press, 1971.