Lavinia Fenton facts for kids
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Lavinia Powlett, Duchess of Bolton (born 1708 – died 24 January 1760), was a famous English actress. She was better known by her stage name, Lavinia Fenton. She later became the wife of Charles Powlett, the 3rd Duke of Bolton.
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Who Was Lavinia Fenton?
Lavinia Fenton was a talented actress who became very popular in London. She was known for her beauty and lively personality. People often described her as having a quick wit and an ambitious spirit.
Early Life and Talent
Lavinia was likely the daughter of a naval officer. Her mother's husband owned a coffee-house. From a young age, she showed a natural gift for acting.
Becoming a Star Actress
Lavinia's first acting role was as Monimia in a play called The Orphan. This was in March 1726 at the Haymarket Theatre. Soon after, she earned money from a special performance. She then played Cherry Boniface in The Beaux Stratagem.
She later joined a theatre company at Lincoln's Inn Fields. Her salary was not very high, but her success and beauty made her very popular. Critics and theatre managers greatly admired her skills. They said no actress or singer was more popular than she was.
Her Big Break: Polly Peachum
Lavinia Fenton became incredibly famous for her role as Polly Peachum. This was in John Gay's opera, The Beggar's Opera. She first played Polly on 29 January 1728. Her performance was so loved that people in London started calling her Polly even when she wasn't on stage.
Her pictures were in high demand. People wrote songs and poems about her. Books were published about her life. She was the most talked-about person in London. The famous artist William Hogarth even painted her in a scene from the opera. Her future husband, the Duke of Bolton, can be seen in a box in this painting. After the opera's first run, Lavinia's salary was doubled. She also played Alida in a play called The Pilgrim. Other important roles she played included Leanthe in Love and a Bottle and Ophelia in Hamlet.
Life with the Duke of Bolton
Lavinia appeared in many comedies and repeated performances of The Beggar's Opera. After her last performance as Polly on 19 April 1728, she began a relationship with Charles Powlett, 3rd Duke of Bolton. He was 23 years older than her. They had three sons together: Charles, Percy, and Horatio Armand. These sons later became a priest, a naval officer, and an army officer.
After the Duke's first wife passed away in 1751, Lavinia and the Duke married. Their wedding took place in Aix-en-Provence, France.
Later Life and Legacy
Lavinia, the Duchess of Bolton, lived longer than her husband. She passed away in 1760 at Westcombe House in Greenwich. She was buried at St Alfege Church, Greenwich on 3 February 1760. A road near Westcombe House, called Peachum Road, was named after her famous role as Polly Peachum.
See also
- List of entertainers who married titled Britishers
