Joseph Burke (1818-1902) was an actor and violinist who became a young celebrity at a time when accomplished children or 'child prodigies' were all the rage. Master Burke, as he became known, was born in Dublin, made his first stage appearance as Tom Thumb and Lingo at Dublin's Theatre Royal in 1824 when he was five years old, and his London debut at the Haymarket Theatre in June 1825 as Doctor O'Toole in The Irish Tutor. He made his first appearance in America in November 1830 as Young Norval in Douglas, when he also lead the orchestra with his violin. He was soon established in America as a celebrated child prodigy, delighting audiences with performances of Richard III, Shylock, Sir Giles Overreach, and other leading roles. Burke also won acclaim through solo performances on the violin and as an orchestral conductor, and in adult life he was established as a distinguished violinist, giving solo concerts and accompanying famous performers including the Swedish soprano Jenny Lind.