Leopold Davis Lewis (1828 – February 23, 1890), was an English dramatist.
Lewis was born in London and educated at the King's College School, and upon graduation became a solicitor, practising as such from 1850 to 1875. In 1871, he translated Erckmann-Chatrian's Le Juif Polonais, giving it the name The Bells, under which name it was produced by Henry Irving at the Lyceum Theatre, London, November 25, 1871, and repeatedly thereafter.
The Bells was Lewis' first play, and his only success.[1] Original plays from the pen of Lewis are: "The Wandering Jew" (Adelphi Theatre, April 14, 1873); "Give a Dog a Bad Name" (ib. November 18, 1873); and "The Foundlings" (Sadler's Wells Theatre, October 8, 1881). From February to December 1868 he and Alfred Thompson conducted a monthly, The Mask, which failed. In addition to the plays mentioned Lewis wrote a number of tales under the title A Peal of Merry Bells (1880).
Lewis never got used to the success of The Bells, and although Irving did everything he could for him, Lewis became a man with a grievance, totally convinced that the success of The Bells was due to his adapation rather than Irving's performance.[1]
Lewis was found late one night seriously ill in Gray's Inn Road and was taken to the Royal Free Hospital where he died on February 23 1890.[1]