James Quin facts for kids
James Quin (born February 24, 1693 – died January 21, 1766) was a well-known English actor with Irish family roots. He was famous for his strong performances on stage.
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James Quin's Life and Career
James Quin was born in London in 1693. His father was an Irish lawyer named James Quin. His grandfather, Mark Quin, was even the Lord Mayor of Dublin. James studied in Dublin and might have attended Trinity College, Dublin. He tried to claim some family money, but he couldn't, because his parents were not officially married.
Early Acting Days
After his father passed away in 1710, James started acting. His first role was at the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin. Soon after, he moved to London. He got small parts at the Drury Lane theatre.
His big break came on November 8, 1715. He played Bajazet in a play called Tamerlane. The next year, he joined the Lincoln's Inn theatre. He stayed there for fourteen years, becoming a popular actor.
Challenges and Successes
Quin faced some difficult situations during his life. In 1718, he was involved in an incident where another actor, William Bowen, died during a duel. The public and the court saw it as an accident, not a crime. Later, he was attacked by a young actor and, in self-defense, the attacker died. These events were seen as unfortunate accidents.
He often played leading roles, like Othello and Macbeth. He acted alongside famous actresses such as Anna Maria Seymour. Quin was also known for standing up for others. In 1721, he protected his manager from a drunken nobleman. This event led to guards being placed in all theatres to keep the peace.
Rivalry with David Garrick
In 1732, Quin moved to the Covent Garden theatre. He returned to Drury Lane for a few years, then went back to Covent Garden in 1742. He stayed there until he retired.
One of the most exciting parts of his career was his friendly rivalry with another famous actor, David Garrick. In 1746, they both performed in Rose's Fair Penitent. The audience loved their performances.
People especially enjoyed comparing their roles as Richard III. Most people thought Garrick was better in that role. However, Quin's performance as Falstaff in King Henry IV was considered much better than Garrick's.
Retirement and Later Life
Because of his talent and popularity, Quin was able to get a very high salary. He earned £1000 a year, which was a huge amount for an actor at that time.
James Quin's last regular performance was on May 15, 1757. He played Horatio in The Fair Penitent. He did play Falstaff a couple more times the next year for charity. After that, he retired to Bath. He lived a happy life there, enjoying good food and late nights.
He passed away on January 21, 1766, and was buried in the abbey church in Bath. Even though they had a rivalry, David Garrick wrote a poem for Quin's tombstone. Quin was a generous person. He left money to many people, including the famous painter Thomas Gainsborough.
Quin's Personality and Acting Style
Quin was known for his strong personality. He could be a bit grumpy and loved food. However, he was also very kind and often helped people who were in trouble.
As an actor, James Quin was known for being very serious and deliberate. He would pause for a long time during his speeches. This style worked well for serious roles and for reciting poetry, like that of John Milton. He was a powerful and memorable performer of his time.
