Elizabeth Johnson (actress) facts for kids

Elizabeth Johnson (1771 – June 18, 1830) was a well-known English actress. She was mostly famous by her stage name, Mrs. Johnson. She also used her maiden name, Elizabeth Ford, and the stage name Miss Ford. She had a very important acting career that spanned across England and the United States from 1790 to 1817.

Life and Career in England

Elizabeth Ford was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, in 1771. Her father was Major Ford. She started her acting journey with John Brunton's group of theaters in Norfolk before 1790. The first time we know for sure she performed was in 1790. This was at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, where she acted as Miss Ford.

Around this time, she married an actor named John Johnson (1759–1819). By 1792, she began performing on stage as Mrs. Johnson. This was the name she used for the rest of her career. From 1793 to 1794, she acted at the Old Orchard Street Theatre in Bath and the Bristol Old Vic in Bristol. She appeared in a play called The Wandering Patentee by Tate Wilkinson. Wilkinson said that Johnson was "most favorably received." He also hired her for shows in York in August and September 1794.

Crossing the Atlantic to America

In 1795, Mrs. Johnson and her husband moved to the United States. They were hired by a theater manager and actor named John Hodgkinson. They joined his acting group, the Old American Company. They performed for the first time in America on November 5, 1795. This was in Colley Cibber's play The Provoked Husband at the Federal Street Theatre in Boston.

William Dunlap wrote about Mrs. Johnson in his book History of the American Theatre (1832). He described her early performances in the United States. He said she was a "tall, elegant, beautiful young woman." Her style in dressing made her a fashion example for ladies in the city. Her manners were charming both on and off the stage. He also mentioned that her good character meant her playful nature was harmless. People could see right away that she was a professional and respectful person. Dunlap felt she was almost too tall, but audiences didn't wish her to be shorter. If she seemed a little awkward, it was only because she was modest. He thought she was more beautiful than some other actresses but not quite as skilled. At that time, America had not seen such a perfect "fine lady" in comedy.