LEE

lee, sophia (1750-1824), english novelist and dramatist, daughter of john lee (d. 1781), actor and theatrical manager, was born in london. her first piece, _the chapter of accidents_, a one-act-opera based on diderot's _pere de famille_, was produced by george colman at the haymarket theatre on the 5th of august 1780. the proceeds were spent in establishing a school at bath, where miss lee made a home for her sisters. her subsequent productions included _the recess, or a tale of other times_ (1785), a historical romance; and _almeyda, queen of grenada_ (1796), a tragedy in blank verse; she also contributed to her sister's _canterbury tales_ (1797). she died at her house near clifton on the 13th of march 1824. her sister, harriet lee (1757-1851), published in 1786 a novel written in letters, _the errors of innocence_. _clara lennox_ followed in 1797. her chief work is the _canterbury tales_ (1797-1805), a series of twelve stories which became very popular. lord byron dramatized one of the tales, "kruitzner," as _werner, or the inheritance_. she died at clifton on the 1st of august 1851.