Mary Ann Wrighten facts for kids
Mary Ann Wrighten Pownall (born in 1751, died August 12, 1796) was a talented English singer, actress, and composer. She was known for her performances on stage in London and later in the United States.
Early Life and Career
Mary Ann Matthews was born in England. Her father was a jeweler, and her mother ran a shop. She learned music from an organist named Charley Griffith. She started performing on stage when she was about 15 years old.
Around 1769, she married an actor named James Wrighten in Birmingham. The couple then moved to London to work at the Drury Lane theatre. Mary Ann quickly became very successful there. She was a popular singer and actress, working with famous people like David Garrick and Richard Brinsley Sheridan. She performed at both Drury Lane and Covent Garden theatres.
Mary Ann and James had two daughters, named Mary and Charlotte. They separated in 1786 after some difficulties.
Life in America
After her separation, Mary Ann Wrighten moved to the United States. She went to work for a theatre manager named John Henry. Her first performance in America was in 1792 at the Southwark Theater in Philadelphia. She was introduced as Mrs. (Hugh) Pownall.
She also performed in New York City. Later, she settled in Charleston, South Carolina. Sadly, she passed away there in 1796 during a yellow fever outbreak.
Mary Ann Wrighten also wrote a book about her life. It was called An Apology for the Life and Conduct of Mrs Mary Wrighten, Late a Favourite Actress and Singer, of Drury Lane Theatre, and Vauxhall Gardens.
Musical Works
In 1784, Mary Ann Wrighten published a collection of songs called Four Ballads. These included:
- I Could Not Help Laughing at That
- Kiss Me Now or Never
- Twas Yes, Kind Sir and Thank You, Too
- Young Willy
She is also known for another song:
- Jemmy of the Glen (written around 1790)
See also
In Spanish: Mary Ann Wrighten para niños
