Inscription
Near this spot lies Thomas Doggett, actor and author, manager of the Haymarket and Drury Lane theatres, in 1715 he founded the race for Doggett's coat and badge. He died a pauper in 1721.
This plaque raises some questions. Firstly, how could he have 'died a pauper', when,in 1718 he married a gentlewoman with a £20,000 fortune, who pre-deceased him? and secondly, which Haymarket theatre? Wikipedia says ‘Theatre Royal Haymarket’ but this only goes back to 1720 so we believe the Oxford DNB’s ‘Vanbrugh's Haymarket Theatre’ (now Her Majesty’s) instead.
Site: Thomas Doggett (1 memorial)
SE9, Eltham High Street, Eltham Parish Church of St John the Baptist
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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