Person    | Male  Born 13/2/1804  Died 6/11/1878

Samuel Phelps

Actor/manager, born in Devonport. In his early working life he worked on the York theatre circuit and acted in numerous tragic roles. In 1837 played Shylock at the Haymarket. He then had a short role in the Haymarket and Drury Lane successively. In 1844 he became co-lessee of Sadler's Wells Theatre with Thomas L. Greenwood and Mary Amelia Warner (1804-1854). Greenwood supplied the business capacity, Phelps was the theatrical manager, and Warner the leading lady.

In this position Phelps remained for twenty years, during which time he raised the Sadler's Wells house to an important position. Thirty-four of Shakespeare's plays were presented there under his direction, with great educational effect, both on public and players. In 1861 Greenwood retired from the partnership, and Phelps, unable to cope with the business of management, retired from it the following year. He continued to act but also published and annotated an edition of Shakespeare's works in 2 vols. Buried in Highgate Cemetery.

Credit for this entry to: Beverley Duguid

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Samuel Phelps

Commemorated ati

Samuel Phelps

{At the top, with the crossed laurel leaves:} L.C.C. {In the main area:} S...

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This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Samuel Phelps

Creations i

Shakespeare's tree

The plaque is now lost.

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Other Subjects

Eton Boating Song

Eton Boating Song

Written by William Johnson Cory. First performed in 1863, the first verse goes:. . . . Jolly boating weather, And a hay harvest breeze, Blade on the feather, Shade off the trees,...

Media, Education, Music / songs

1 memorial
Charity scholars

Charity scholars

Looking at London has a page about these little blue people but even there we can find no origin story explaining why and when the first such statues were erected. We note that there seems to be a ...

Group, Education, Philanthropy

23 memorials
Grey Coat Hospital Foundation

Grey Coat Hospital Foundation

This is a charity supporting five schools including the Grey Coat Hospital in Greycoat Place.  See Grey Coat School for more information.

Group, Education

1 memorial
London Oratory

London Oratory

Popularly known as the Brompton Oratory. Founded the year after Cardinal Newman established the Birmingham Oratory.

Group, Education, Religion

1 memorial