Thomas Godfrey, son of inventor Thomas Godfrey (1704-1749), was a prominent playwright in 18th century America. Godfrey grew up in Pennsylvania, and he was a member of Benjamin Franklin’s Junto Club (a self-appointed committee that usually has political goals). As strong writer, he was known throughout Pennsylvania by literary groups. Godfrey was also good friends with the poet Nathaniel Evans and college provost William Smith. In hopes of entering business, Godfrey left Pennsylvania in 1758 for Wilmington, North Carolina. A prominent poet, Godfrey wrote The Court of Fancy, a long poem that was published in 1762. Throughout his life he also published smaller pieces in local magazines. His biggest accomplishment came when his blank-verse (written in iambic pentameter without rhyme) play titled The Prince of Parthia was published in 1765. The Prince of Parthia, a tragedy, became famous as the first tragedy written by an American to be produced and performed on an American stage. The show was performed by a professional cast of actors at the Southwark Theatre in Philadelphia on April 24, 1767. Godfrey’s play was considered “a noble beginning of dramatic literature in America.”
http://proquest.com/assets/literature/products/databases/american_drama.pdf
http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/thomas_godfrey/biography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prince_of_Parthia
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