Print Collection
Engraving
early 19th century (engraved)
early 19th century (engraved)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The actor-manager Charles Kemble (1775-1854) was the eleventh child of the strolling players Roger and Sarah Kemble. Like his elder brother Stephen Kemble, Charles Kemble conducted his stage career in the shadow of his acclaimed brother John Philip Kemble, and his legendary sister Sarah Siddons. He made his debut at Drury Lane Theatre in 1794 as Malcolm to John Philip Kemble's Macbeth, but he was better suited to lighter roles than to tragic, and made his name with parts including Orlando, Young Absolute, Charles Surface, Benedick and Orlando. He married the actress Theresa De Camp in 1806 and managed Covent Garden Theatre between 1822 and 1832, during the difficult period when many performers were defecting to Drury Lane. His daughter Fanny Kemble's appearance with him in 1829 as Juliet was such a hit however, that he kept the theatre temporarily solvent. With Fanny too he made lucrative North American acting tours from September 1832 until January 1834..
Charles Kemble was appointed Examiner of Plays in 1836, a post he held until his death in November 1854.
Charles Kemble was appointed Examiner of Plays in 1836, a post he held until his death in November 1854.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Print Collection (named collection) |
| Materials and techniques | Stipple emgraving |
| Brief description | Stipple engraving of Charles Kemble (1775-1854) by William Ridley (1764-1838). Published by Vernon & Hood, after Clark. |
| Physical description | Stipple engraving head and shoulders portrait of Charles Kemble (1775-1854) showing him sitting at an angle but turning his head directly to the viewer, with shoulder-length grey hair, a white cravat and a broad-lapelled coat. |
| Dimensions |
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| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The actor-manager Charles Kemble (1775-1854) was the eleventh child of the strolling players Roger and Sarah Kemble. Like his elder brother Stephen Kemble, Charles Kemble conducted his stage career in the shadow of his acclaimed brother John Philip Kemble, and his legendary sister Sarah Siddons. He made his debut at Drury Lane Theatre in 1794 as Malcolm to John Philip Kemble's Macbeth, but he was better suited to lighter roles than to tragic, and made his name with parts including Orlando, Young Absolute, Charles Surface, Benedick and Orlando. He married the actress Theresa De Camp in 1806 and managed Covent Garden Theatre between 1822 and 1832, during the difficult period when many performers were defecting to Drury Lane. His daughter Fanny Kemble's appearance with him in 1829 as Juliet was such a hit however, that he kept the theatre temporarily solvent. With Fanny too he made lucrative North American acting tours from September 1832 until January 1834.. Charles Kemble was appointed Examiner of Plays in 1836, a post he held until his death in November 1854. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.4-2006 |
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| Record created | March 30, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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