John Hodgkinson (actor, born 1766) facts for kids

John Hodgkinson

John Hodgkinson (born John Meadowcroft) (1766 – 12 September 1805) was a very famous actor in the United States during the late 1700s and early 1800s. He was born in England and moved to the United States in 1792. John Hodgkinson and William Dunlap worked together to manage the John Street Theatre for several years in the 1790s.

About John Hodgkinson

John Hodgkinson was born in England in 1766. He came to the United States in 1792. Before arriving, he asked New York theater managers Lewis Hallam Jr. and John Henry of the Old American Company for acting jobs for himself and actress Frances Brett. He married Frances shortly after he arrived in America.

John Hodgkinson made his first appearance in America at the Southwark Theatre in Philadelphia in 1792. He played the role of Belcour in a play called The West Indian.

A Leading Actor in America

Many people thought Hodgkinson was "certainly the finest actor who had appeared in America up to his day." He quickly became the most important performer in America for the next ten years. By 1800, he and his wife were the highest paid actors in the country. He earned $70 a week, and his wife earned $50 a week.

Hodgkinson was known for being a very determined businessman. He eventually took over the theater management from Henry and Hallam.

Frances, his wife, passed away in Philadelphia on September 27, 1803. She was buried in St. John's cemetery in Manhattan next to her sister Arabella. John acted for two seasons in Charleston, South Carolina. He then passed away in Bladensburg, Maryland on September 12, 1805.

In 1897, St. John's Cemetery was changed into a public park. Only 250 bodies were moved from the cemetery. It is very likely that John Hodgkinson's grave is still beneath what is now James J. Walker Park.

John Hodgkinson's Career

John Hodgkinson, whose original name was John Meadowcroft, was an American actor and singer. He started working at just 15 years old. In 1781, he began as an acting apprentice in different parts of England.

After discovering his love for the arts, he decided to move to America to become a professional actor. In September 1792, he moved to New York and quickly started working. He soon became known as one of the most flexible and talented actors in the business.

Managing Theaters

By 1794, John Hodgkinson became a co-manager of New York's Old American Company. He worked alongside Lewis Hallam. In 1796, William Dunlap bought a part of the company and began working with Hallam and Hodgkinson.

In 1797, Hallam left the business. Hodgkinson and Dunlap then managed the company together. William Dunlap was Hodgkinson's partner for the next five years. In 1798, Hodgkinson also started managing the Boston Federal Street Theater.

Acting and Singing Roles

The roles John Hodgkinson played were very diverse. He performed in serious plays (tragedy), funny plays (comedy), and even operas. People praised him for his powerful voice, and he also began a career as a singer.

A year later, he stopped being a co-manager and worked under Dunlap at the Old American Company.

In July 1800, Hodgkinson began performing with his wife and Mrs. Hallam at the Summer Theater. This theater was owned by Joseph Coree and was located on Leonard Street at the corner of Broadway. Hodgkinson performed in many plays there, such as "Five Hundred a Year" and "Columbus's Daughter." He passed away shortly after, in 1805.