Mrs Webb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mrs Webb
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|---|---|
as Mrs Dove
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| Born |
Lydia Child
1736/7 |
| Died | 1797 London
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| Nationality | Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Other names | Mrs Richard Webb |
| Occupation | Singer and actor |
| Known for | Comedian |
| Partner(s) | Richard Webb |
Mrs Webb, also known as Lydia Child, was a famous British actress and singer. She was born around 1736 or 1737 and passed away in 1797. For 15 years, she was a very popular comedian. She performed at two big theatres in London: the Covent Garden and the Haymarket.
Early Life and Career
Lydia Child was likely born in 1736 or 1737. Some people also knew her as Lucia Child. She first started acting in 1764 in Norwich, a city in England. The next year, she was working in Colchester. There, she reportedly helped save the job of another actor named "Plausible Jack" Palmer.
By 1772, she was acting in Edinburgh, Scotland. At this time, she was using the name "Mrs Day." A couple of years later, in 1774, she began using the name "Mrs Dicky Webb." She continued to perform in Scotland until 1779.
Comedy Roles and Popularity
Mrs. Webb became well-known for her comedy roles. However, she also performed in plays by William Shakespeare. Some of her famous roles included:
- Mrs. Malaprop
- Mrs. Peachum in The Beggar's Opera
She also appeared in other popular plays like The Recruiting Officer, Love for Love, She Stoops to Conquer, and The School for Scandal.
Mrs. Webb was one of the most popular comedians for 15 years. She regularly performed at the Covent Garden and Haymarket theatres in London. In 1787, she played the character "Mrs Dove" in a comedy by Richard Cumberland. A painting by Samuel de Wilde shows her in this role.
Family and Legacy
Mrs. Webb had an adopted daughter, and possibly a son. Her daughter also became an actress. She started acting in England in 1788. However, she became very famous in America as "Mrs Wilmot." People said she was the second most popular actress in America. She was even a favorite of General Washington.
In 1790, Mrs. Webb published her autobiography, which was called "Secret History of the Green Room." An autobiography is a book someone writes about their own life. Later, in 1833, a painting of her by Samuel De Wilde was shown to the public. This painting is now owned by the Garrick Club.
