Edward Alleyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Alleyn
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Edward Alleyn
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| Born | 1 September 1566 Bishopsgate, London
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| Died | 21 November 1626 (aged 60) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1583–1604 |
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Edward "Ned" Alleyn (1 September 1566 – 21 November 1626) was a famous English actor. He was a very important person in the Elizabethan theatre. He also founded the College of God's Gift in Dulwich, London.
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Early Life of Edward Alleyn
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Edward Alleyn was born on September 1, 1566, in Bishopsgate, London. He was baptized the day after his birth. His father, also named Edward Alleyn, was an innkeeper. He also worked as a porter for Queen Elizabeth I. Edward's mother was Margaret Townley. A road near Alleyn's School was named after her in 1884. People who knew him often called him "Ned."
Edward Alleyn's Acting Career
Edward Alleyn was only four years old when his father passed away. His mother later married an actor named Brown. Growing up in an actor's home likely meant he was surrounded by theatre life.
It is not known exactly when he started acting. However, by 1583, he was listed as a player for the Earl of Worcester. Many people believed he was the best actor of his time. Only Richard Burbage was considered a close rival.
Famous Roles and Performances
Alleyn played the main characters in three major plays by Christopher Marlowe. These were Faustus, Tamburlaine, and Barabas in The Jew of Malta. These roles were probably written especially for him. Edward Alleyn was known for his strong stage presence. He was also known for playing powerful characters.
He might have also played Orlando in Robert Greene's Orlando Furioso. Another possible role was Hieronymo in The Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd. Some other plays, now lost, are also thought to have featured Alleyn in leading roles.
Dedication to Theatre
In 1593, Alleyn and his fellow actors were touring different parts of England. They traveled to rural areas and were not earning much money. At this time, the bubonic plague was very bad in London. Despite the danger, Alleyn and the other actors were willing to risk their health. They stayed in London to help their theatre group succeed. This tour included actors from Lord Strange's Men and the Admiral's Men.
Alleyn stopped acting around 1598, at the peak of his fame. It is said that Queen Elizabeth asked him to return to the stage. He did so in 1604, the year after she died. Many famous writers praised Alleyn's acting. Ben Jonson spoke highly of him. Thomas Heywood called him "inimitable" and "the best of actors."
Edward Alleyn earned a lot of money from his acting career. He also gained wealth from his marriage. He owned a large property in Sussex.
Edward Alleyn's Business Ventures
Alleyn became very rich by going into business with his father-in-law, Philip Henslowe. He owned parts of Henslowe's businesses. Eventually, he owned several successful playhouses and other properties by himself. These included the Rose Theatre and the Fortune Theatre. The Fortune Theatre was built for Alleyn and Henslowe in 1600. It was a square building, unlike the round Globe Theatre. Alleyn was the head of the Admiral's Men theatre company, which used the Fortune Theatre.
He also managed the "king's games of bears, bulls and dogs" with Henslowe. Sometimes, he even led these events himself. John Stow wrote in his Chronicles about Alleyn leading a lion baiting for King James I at the Tower of London.
Founding a College
Alleyn's connection to Dulwich began in 1605. That year, he bought the manor of Dulwich. This large property cost him about £35,000. It stretched for miles, from Sydenham Hill to Herne Hill. Alleyn then started building and supporting the College of God's Gift at Dulwich.
The Legend of the College's Founding
There is a story about why Alleyn founded Dulwich College. It says he did it after seeing a ghost. The historian John Aubrey first wrote down this legend. He said that Alleyn, while playing a demon in a Shakespeare play, was surprised by a real ghost of the devil. This experience made him promise to do something good, which led to him founding Dulwich College.
The college buildings were finished by 1617. However, there were delays in getting the official permission to set up the school. Finally, King James I gave his approval on June 21, 1619. The construction of the school had begun in 1613.
It is believed that Dulwich College was built as a way for Alleyn to thank God. He was thankful for his acting talent and his success in business. Alleyn was very involved in the college's daily life. He even had the boys perform plays sometimes.
In 1610, Alleyn also helped found almshouses (homes for the poor) in St Saviour's, Southwark. He also gave money to the local grammar school. Both of these places still receive support from his Dulwich foundation today.
In 1882, the College of God's Gift was divided into three separate schools. These are Dulwich College, James Allen's Girls' School, and Alleyn's School. Dulwich College has even opened schools in other countries like China and Singapore.
Marriages and Family
Edward Alleyn inherited property in Bishopsgate from his father. He married Joan Woodward on October 22, 1592. Joan was the stepdaughter of Philip Henslowe. She passed away on June 28, 1623. Later that year, on December 3, he married Constance. She was the daughter of John Donne, a famous poet. Edward Alleyn did not have any children. Constance later remarried in 1630.
Death and Legacy
Edward Alleyn died in November 1626. He was buried in the chapel of the college he founded, called the Christ's Chapel of God's Gift. He wrote his last will on November 3. His gravestone shows he died on November 21. He was buried on November 25. His memorial stone was moved outside the church in 1925 to protect it. His body remains beneath the church floor.
There is a special window in the cathedral that honors him. A painting of Edward Alleyn can be seen at the Dulwich Picture Gallery.
Edward Alleyn is special because many of his personal papers have survived. These papers were published in 1843. He also worked with important people like Sir Francis Bacon.
Images for kids
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Edward Alleyn
See also
In Spanish: Edward Alleyn para niños
