Actress, born in County Down, Ireland, a descendant of the great Restoration actor Thomas Betterton. Acting from an early age in Ireland, she moved to England with her father at the age of ten and toured the provinces. In 1797 she was engaged by the Covent Garden theatre, becoming succesful enough to perform Portia in The Merchant of venice before King George III. Althoiugh she tried her hand at serious roles, her vocation was comedy. In 1800 her father forced her into marriage with Samuel Glover, heir to a fortune, who was in fact cut off by his father. Four of their eight children survived into adulthood, but they were estranged by 1817, and Samuel eventually died in a debtor's prison.Her career lasted a remarkable sixtyfive years, and a benefit was held for her in 1850. She died at her home in Soho Square before being paid, unfortunately, and was buried in the same churchyard as her rapacious father.
Actress, born in County Down, Ireland, a descendant of the great Restoration actor Thomas Betterton. Acting from an early age in Ireland, she moved to England with her father at the age of ten and toured the provinces. In 1797 she was engaged by the Covent Garden theatre, becoming succesful enough to perform Portia in The Merchant of venice before King George III. Althoiugh she tried her hand at serious roles, her vocation was comedy. In 1800 her father forced her into marriage with Samuel Glover, heir to a fortune, who was in fact cut off by his father. Four of their eight children survived into adulthood, but they were estranged by 1817, and Samuel eventually died in a debtor's prison.Her career lasted a remarkable sixtyfive years, and a benefit was held for her in 1850. She died at her home in Soho Square before being paid, unfortunately, and was buried in the same churchyard as her rapacious father.
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