Although she overcame a stammer to fulfil her acting ambitions, Elizabeth Simpson (1753 1821), known as Mrs Inchbald after her marriage in 1772, was more acclaimed for her good looks than her performances. Her husband was an actor, and she formed strong friendships with Sarah Siddons and John Philip Kemble, but her greatest impact was as a playwright, novelist, editor and critic. Despite her decision to destroy a four-volume autobiography, her extensive surviving journals and letters allowed James Boaden (1762 1839) to publish this two-volume work in 1833. Having produced biographies of...

Born into the theatre, though originally intended for Catholic holy orders, John Philip Kemble (1757 1823) made as great a name for himself on the English stage as his gifted older sister, Sarah Siddons. Known for his mastery of tragic Shakespearian roles, among which Coriolanus was deemed his finest, Kemble also distinguished himself as acting manager at Drury Lane under Sheridan. Described by Sir Walter Scott as 'grave, critical, full and laudably accurate', this extensive two-volume biography was the work of James Boaden (1762 1839), an author well acquainted with the foremost theatrical...

Born into the theatre, though originally intended for Catholic holy orders, John Philip Kemble (1757 1823) made as great a name for himself on the English stage as his gifted older sister, Sarah Siddons. Known for his mastery of tragic Shakespearian roles, among which Coriolanus was deemed his finest, Kemble also distinguished himself as acting manager at Drury Lane under Sheridan. Described by Sir Walter Scott as 'grave, critical, full and laudably accurate', this extensive two-volume biography was the work of James Boaden (1762 1839), an author well acquainted with the foremost theatrical...

The actress Dorothy Jordan (1761 1816), contemporary of Sarah Siddons, was born in London, one of nine children. Her reputation as the greatest comic actress of her time was secured upon joining Sheridan's company at Drury Lane in 1785. Remembered particularly for cross-dressing roles such as Rosalind in As You Like It and Viola in Twelfth Night, she brought great charm and spontaneity to her interpretations. Her life off-stage was equally colourful, and she was for over twenty years the lover of William, Duke of Clarence, with whom she had ten children. This two-volume biography, first...

The actress Dorothy Jordan (1761 1816), contemporary of Sarah Siddons, was born in London, one of nine children. Her reputation as the greatest comic actress of her time was secured upon joining Sheridan's company at Drury Lane in 1785. Remembered particularly for cross-dressing roles such as Rosalind in As You Like It and Viola in Twelfth Night, she brought great charm and spontaneity to her interpretations. Her life off-stage was equally colourful, and she was for over twenty years the lover of William, Duke of Clarence, with whom she had ten children. This two-volume biography, first...

Published in 1827, this two-volume work by the playwright and biographer James Boaden (1762 1839) is a sprightly portrayal of the acclaimed actress Sarah Siddons (1755 1831). Closely collaborating with his subject, Boaden (whose memoir of Dorothy Jordan is also reissued in this series) was able to establish himself as an authoritative biographer, preferred over others for his intellect and wealth of anecdotes from a lifetime spent within the theatrical world. Arguably the greatest tragic actress of her age, Siddons broke new ground in the reactions she provoked in audiences and in the social...

Published in 1827, this two-volume work by the playwright and biographer James Boaden (1762 1839) is a sprightly portrayal of the acclaimed actress Sarah Siddons (1755 1831). Closely collaborating with his subject, Boaden (whose memoir of Dorothy Jordan is also reissued in this series) was able to establish himself as an authoritative biographer, preferred over others for his intellect and wealth of anecdotes from a lifetime spent within the theatrical world. Arguably the greatest tragic actress of her age, Siddons broke new ground in the reactions she provoked in audiences and in the social...