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

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Shakespeare's tree

The plaque is now lost.

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Other Subjects

Edward Alleyn’s Foundation / Dulwich Estate

Edward Alleyn’s Foundation / Dulwich Estate

From their website: "We are The Dulwich Estate, a registered charity established by our founder Edward Alleyn in 1619 to offer educational opportunities to disadvantaged children. As a charity, we ...

Group, Education, Philanthropy, Property, Religion, Social Welfare

1 memorial
Hakuai Nakamura

Hakuai Nakamura

Became a student at UCL in 1865.

Person, Education, Japan

1 memorial
Stephen Gardiner

Stephen Gardiner

Architect, teacher and writer. Born Chelsea. Awarded O.B.E. 2002. Died Pembury, Kent

Person, Architecture, Education

1 memorial
Eaton Hodgkinson

Eaton Hodgkinson

Professor of engineering. FRS.  Born Cheshire.  Studied the strength of columns of various materials and pioneered the application of mathematics to structural design.  Late in life his mental abil...

Person, Education, Engineering

1 memorial
Sutton Adult School

Sutton Adult School

Founded by Thomas Wall. It is now called the Thomas Wall Centre.

Place, Education

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Kotoku Shusui

Kotoku Shusui

Born as Denjiro Kotoku. Kotoku Shusui was his pen-name. Anarchist who translated anarchist writings into Japanese. Went to the USA in 1905-6. Executed for treason by the Japanese government.

Person, Politics & Administration, Japan, USA

1 memorial