Frances Brett Hodgkinson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frances Brett Hodgkinson
Frances Brett Hodgkinson
Born	1771 Bath, England
Died	September 23, 1803(1803-09-23) (aged 31–32) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nationality	American
Spouse(s)	John Hodgkinson

Frances Brett Hodgkinson (born 1771, died 1803) was a talented actress. She was born in England but became famous in America. Frances was known for playing big roles in funny comedies and serious tragedies. She was also a great opera singer. She was married to John Hodgkinson, who was also a very well-known American actor.

Discovering Frances Hodgkinson

Frances Brett Hodgkinson had a short but impactful life. She was part of a family of performers. Her story shows how theater was growing in America.

Early Life and Family

Frances Hodgkinson was born in England in 1771. Her parents, William and Hannah Brett, were both actors. They performed with famous theater groups like the Bath-Bristol company. Frances was the oldest child in her family.

In 1789, Frances and her mother moved to Bath and Bristol. This happened after her father, William Brett, passed away. In 1790, a famous English actor named John Hodgkinson joined their theater company. He soon became the main actor. This is where he met Frances Brett. John Hodgkinson later moved to the United States to marry Frances.

Frances and John Hodgkinson had two daughters and one son. Frances continued to act even when she became very ill. She had a serious lung disease called tuberculosis. A writer named William Dunlap wrote about her performances. He said she looked very unwell on stage in June 1803. She died in Philadelphia on September 27, 1803, because of her illness. She was buried in Saint John's Cemetery in New York.

Her Acting Career

Frances Hodgkinson and her four brothers and sisters started acting young. She performed in Bath and Bristol from 1781 to 1783. During this time, she played roles for young characters. In 1784, she made her first appearance in London at the Haymarket Theatre. She played a small role as a dwarf in a funny opera.

Early in her career, she was called Miss Brett. This helped people tell her apart from her sister, who was called Miss W. Brett. They often appeared in the same plays. In 1787, she started her singing career at the Rotunda. She became known for playing "singing chambermaids." This was a popular type of role in musicals back then.

Illustration of John Hodgkinson, Frances Hodgkinson's husband.

In 1792, the Hodgkinsons sailed to America. They signed a contract with John Henry. Eight other actors came with them, including Frances's mother and sister. They joined the Old American Company. This was the first professional theater group in North America. John Hodgkinson first appeared in a play called The Wonder. Frances Hodgkinson's first role was Leonora in The Padlock.

John Hodgkinson became a very popular actor. He was considered "superior to any other actor" for about ten years. He performed in all the main theater cities in America. William Dunlap described Frances Hodgkinson as a very flexible actress. He said she was the best at playing funny country characters and singing roles. She was also great at playing chambermaids and clever servants.

By 1800, Frances and John Hodgkinson were the highest-paid actors in American theater history. Frances earned $50 a week. Her husband earned $70. Her salary was much higher than other actors. For example, another famous actor, Hallam, and his wife together earned $50. John Hodgkinson also helped manage the American Company.

One of Frances Hodgkinson's most famous roles in America was Manana. This was in an opera called Tammany. She acted alongside her husband, who played the main character, an Indian chief.