THE

THESPIAN DICTIONARY;

OR,

Dramatic Biography

OF THE PRESENT AGE;

CONTAINING

SKETCHES OF THE LIVES,

LISTS OF THE PRODUCTIONS, VARIOUS MERITS,

&c. &c.

OF ALL THE PRINCIPAL DRAMATISTS, COMPOSERS, COMMENTATORS,
MANAGERS, ACTORS AND ACTRESSES,

OF THE

United Kingdom:

Interspersed with

NUMEROUS ORIGINAL ANECDOTES,

Forming a Complete Modern History of
THE ENGLISH STAGE.

PUBLISHED BY JAMES CUNDEE, IVY-LANE,
PATERNOSTER-ROW;

SOLD BY C. CHAPPLE, PALL MALL.

1805.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE very flattering success of the first edition of THE THESPIAN DICTIONARY has induced the Editor to revise the work with peculiar attention, and, availing himself of those emendations which have been kindly pointed out by CORRESPONDENTS and REVIEWERS, it is humbly presumed, that the present edition will be found as correct as a volume of this nature can possibly be. The additions chiefly consist of authentic memoirs of several performers, who, since the former edition, have appeared on the London boards. The works of the Dramatists are also brought down to the present period: further particulars are given of remarkable characters; and several country managers, actors, &c. hitherto unnoticed, are now included. It must, however, be observed, that in the following Alphabetical Collection of DRAMATIC BIOGRAPHY, names, (particularly of the inferior performers, now living) are PURPOSELY omitted, as unworthy notice, especially as nothing could with justice be said of them to interest the public, or redound to their own advantage. Nor, indeed, could the bare mention of such names, which would have occupied too much space in these our limited pages, and which might seldom, or never, be looked for, be of any utility either to themselves or the public; wherever it was necessary to show that some persons HAVE BEEN, or ARE, this plan has been adopted; but the most insignificant are, in justice to their demerits, consigned to oblivion. It may also be necessary to add, that a few names, particularly of the deceased, though not to be met with according to the alphabetical urrungement, are, notwithstanding, mentioned in the course of this work, which is intended more for a Pocket Remembrancer of the most principal Managers, Dramatists,

iv

Dramatists, &c. of all the Theatres of the United Kingdom, than a worthless record of FAMILY ANECDOTE and GREEN-ROOM SCANDAL.

As the diminutive type of the former edition was not agreeable to the generality of readers, this complaint is removed in the present; and additional engravings are also given, as a further improvement, particularly of the YOUNG ROSCIUS, whose recent fame justly entitles him to notice. Thus the Editor (as was his duty for the encouragement already received) has endeavoured to render THE THESPIAN DICTIONARY doubly worthy the Continuance of public favour. But so various are the changes which continually and suddenly take place in the theatrical world, owing to "Management," "Matrimony," "The Doctor and the Apothecary," &c. that it would be absolute presumption in him to announce even this revised edition truly perfect.-Soon after the first part was committed to the press, some alterations happened; on account of which it was deemed necessary to conclude the work with a Supplementary Page, which the reader is requested to consult.