William 'Gentleman' Smith
Encyclopedia
William Smith known as "Gentleman Smith", was a celebrated English
actor of the 18th century who worked with David Garrick
, and was the original creator of the role of Charles Surface in Richard Brinsley Sheridan
's The School for Scandal
.
in 1730. His father, intending that he should enter the church, sent him to Eton College
in 1737 and then to St John's College, Cambridge
in 1748. The vivacious spirit for which he was well known at Eton led him into problems at Cambridge. One evening he drank too freely with some friends and, being pursued by a proctor, he unwisely snapped an unloaded pistol at him. He refused the punishment that was imposed, and quit the University to avoid expulsion.
Theatre, where he first appeared in January 1753 in the role of Theodosius
, a performance attended by many of his college friends in a spirit of solidarity. He next appeared as Polydore in Thomas Otway
's The Orphan
, Southampton in The Earl of Essex, and Dolabella in John Dryden
's All for Love. He took various subordinate roles until the retirement of Spranger Barry
, when he took on many of that actor's principal parts. If he had defects, they were generally overlooked by his audiences, who admired his upright and independent private life. The poet Charles Churchill, in his "Rosciad" satire of 1761, called him "Smith the genteel, the airy, and the smart."
, where he remained until retirement in 1788. Though for a long time he played lead roles in tragedy, for which he had a suitably tall and well-proportioned figure, his facial features lacked the flexibility and expressiveness, and his vocal delivery was somewhat too harsh and monotonous, to be considered ideal. However, he won popularity as Richard III
, Hotspur, and Hastings, and was also admired in the roles of Kitely, Archer, and Oakly.
's The School for Scandal
, which won the highest praise for originality, boldness of conception, truth, freedom, ease, and gracefulness of action and manner. He is mentioned favourably in Charles Lamb's Essays of Elia
, in the "Essay upon Old Actors". On 9 March 1788, after a performance of Hamlet
, Smith announced his intention to retire and "resign the sprightly Charles to abler hands and younger heads". After a performance of the role on June 9, 1788, he gave his farewell speech, though he did appear once more in 1798 in a benefit performance for a friend.
, Mrs Kelland Courtnay (a widow), who died in 1762, and secondly Miss Newson of Leiston
in Suffolk. (Through the second marriage in the Newson family is traced a relationship to the Suffolk
antiquary Hamlet Watling (1818–1908), whose brother Edwin also married a daughter of Smith's). Smith died at Bury St Edmunds on 13 September 1819 in his 89th year. There his elegant figure was remembered as always wearing a white hat edged with green, a blue coat, figured waistcoat, fustian coloured breeches, and gaiters to match, and carrying a gold-headed cane. He was loved by the youngsters of Bury whom he often obliged with sweets from the candy-shop.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
actor of the 18th century who worked with David Garrick
David Garrick
David Garrick was an English actor, playwright, theatre manager and producer who influenced nearly all aspects of theatrical practice throughout the 18th century and was a pupil and friend of Dr Samuel Johnson...
, and was the original creator of the role of Charles Surface in Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Butler Sheridan was an Irish-born playwright and poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig Member of the British House of Commons for Stafford , Westminster and Ilchester...
's The School for Scandal
The School for Scandal
The School for Scandal is a play written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It was first performed in London at Drury Lane Theatre on May 8, 1777.The prologue, written by David Garrick, commends the play, its subject, and its author to the audience...
.
Early life
William Smith was born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1730. His father, intending that he should enter the church, sent him to Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
in 1737 and then to St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
in 1748. The vivacious spirit for which he was well known at Eton led him into problems at Cambridge. One evening he drank too freely with some friends and, being pursued by a proctor, he unwisely snapped an unloaded pistol at him. He refused the punishment that was imposed, and quit the University to avoid expulsion.
Covent Garden 1753–1774
Smith was inclined towards the stage: upon arrival in London, he applied to John Rich at the original Covent GardenRoyal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
Theatre, where he first appeared in January 1753 in the role of Theodosius
Theodosius
Theodosius is a name which might refer to one of several people:* One of three emperors of ancient Rome and Byzantium:** Theodosius I , son of Count Theodosius...
, a performance attended by many of his college friends in a spirit of solidarity. He next appeared as Polydore in Thomas Otway
Thomas Otway
Thomas Otway was an English dramatist of the Restoration period, best known for Venice Preserv'd, or A Plot Discover'd .-Life:...
's The Orphan
The Orphan
This article is about the play. For the 2009 horror film, see Orphan .The Orphan, or The Unhappy Marriage is a domestic tragedy, written by Thomas Otway in 1680. It was first produced at the Dorset Garden Theatre, and starred Mrs. Barry as Monimia, Thomas Betterton as Castalio and Mr. Jo. Williams...
, Southampton in The Earl of Essex, and Dolabella in John Dryden
John Dryden
John Dryden was an influential English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who dominated the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden.Walter Scott called him "Glorious John." He was made Poet...
's All for Love. He took various subordinate roles until the retirement of Spranger Barry
Spranger Barry
Spranger Barry was an Irish actor.-Life:He was born in Skinner's Row, Dublin, the son of a silversmith, to whose business he was brought up...
, when he took on many of that actor's principal parts. If he had defects, they were generally overlooked by his audiences, who admired his upright and independent private life. The poet Charles Churchill, in his "Rosciad" satire of 1761, called him "Smith the genteel, the airy, and the smart."
Drury Lane 1774–1788
After 22 years at Covent Garden, Garrick engaged him in winter 1774 for Drury LaneDrury Lane
Drury Lane is a street on the eastern boundary of the Covent Garden area of London, running between Aldwych and High Holborn. The northern part is in the borough of Camden and the southern part in the City of Westminster....
, where he remained until retirement in 1788. Though for a long time he played lead roles in tragedy, for which he had a suitably tall and well-proportioned figure, his facial features lacked the flexibility and expressiveness, and his vocal delivery was somewhat too harsh and monotonous, to be considered ideal. However, he won popularity as Richard III
Richard III (play)
Richard III is a history play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1591. It depicts the Machiavellian rise to power and subsequent short reign of Richard III of England. The play is grouped among the histories in the First Folio and is most often classified...
, Hotspur, and Hastings, and was also admired in the roles of Kitely, Archer, and Oakly.
Charles Surface
Smith's masterpiece was his impersonation of Charles Surface in Richard Brinsley SheridanRichard Brinsley Sheridan
Richard Brinsley Butler Sheridan was an Irish-born playwright and poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig Member of the British House of Commons for Stafford , Westminster and Ilchester...
's The School for Scandal
The School for Scandal
The School for Scandal is a play written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It was first performed in London at Drury Lane Theatre on May 8, 1777.The prologue, written by David Garrick, commends the play, its subject, and its author to the audience...
, which won the highest praise for originality, boldness of conception, truth, freedom, ease, and gracefulness of action and manner. He is mentioned favourably in Charles Lamb's Essays of Elia
Essays of Elia
Essays of Elia is a collection of essays written by Charles Lamb; it was first published in book form in 1823, with a second volume, Last Essays of Elia, issued in 1833 by the publisher Edward Moxon....
, in the "Essay upon Old Actors". On 9 March 1788, after a performance of Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
, Smith announced his intention to retire and "resign the sprightly Charles to abler hands and younger heads". After a performance of the role on June 9, 1788, he gave his farewell speech, though he did appear once more in 1798 in a benefit performance for a friend.
Family life and retirement
Smith first married the sister of the Earl of SandwichEarl of Sandwich
Earl of Sandwich is a 17th century title in the Peerage of England, nominally associated with Sandwich, Kent. It was created in 1660 for the prominent naval commander Admiral Sir Edward Montagu. He was made Baron Montagu, of St Neots in the County of Huntingdon, and Viscount Hinchingbrooke, at the...
, Mrs Kelland Courtnay (a widow), who died in 1762, and secondly Miss Newson of Leiston
Leiston
Leiston is a town in eastern Suffolk, England. It is situated near Saxmundham and Aldeburgh, about from the North Sea coast and is northeast of Ipswich and northeast from London...
in Suffolk. (Through the second marriage in the Newson family is traced a relationship to the Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
antiquary Hamlet Watling (1818–1908), whose brother Edwin also married a daughter of Smith's). Smith died at Bury St Edmunds on 13 September 1819 in his 89th year. There his elegant figure was remembered as always wearing a white hat edged with green, a blue coat, figured waistcoat, fustian coloured breeches, and gaiters to match, and carrying a gold-headed cane. He was loved by the youngsters of Bury whom he often obliged with sweets from the candy-shop.
Sources
- William Hone, The Every-Day Book (London, 1830), Volume I, 1287-1291.
- Hamlet Watling, 'Suffolk Heraldry & Genealogy in 12 Vols' (MS, Ipswich MuseumIpswich MuseumIpswich Museum is a registered museum of culture, history and natural heritage located on High Street in Ipswich, the County Town of the English county of Suffolk...
, Christchurch Mansion) Vol 8. - Christian Deelman, 'The original cast of The School for Scandal', The Review of English Studies 1962 XIII(51), pp. 257–266.
- Encyclopædia Britannica 1911.