John Philip Kemble (1757–1823)

Image credit: National Portrait Gallery, London

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Actor, theatre manager and playwright, John Philip Kemble was the oldest son of Roger Kemble, who managed a touring theatre company. He followed his sister Sarah Siddons to Drury Lane, where he first appeared as Hamlet in 1783. He played a wide range of characters and excelled in Shakespearian tragedy, often appearing opposite Siddons. Between 1788 and 1796 he was also actor-manager at Drury Lane under Richard Brinsley Sheridan until he and Siddons defected to Covent Garden Theatre where he became manager and part-owner. He wrote a number of plays and had a deep knowledge of drama and stagecraft. He retired in 1817 after playing the title role in 'Coriolanus'.

National Portrait Gallery, London

London

Title

John Philip Kemble (1757–1823)

Date

1814

Medium

bronze

Measurements

H 34.3 x W (?) x D (?) cm

Accession number

149

Acquisition method

donated by John Gibson, 1862

Work type

Bust

Inscription description

incised and dated

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