Augustus Harris

Sir Augustus Harris
Born Augustus Henry Glossop Harris
18 March 1852(1852-03-18)
Paris, France
Died 22 June 1896(1896-06-22) (aged 44)
Folkestone, England
Occupation Actor, impresario, dramatist
Years active 1873–1896[1]
Spouse Florence Edgcumbe (1881–1896)

Sir Augustus Henry Glossop Harris (18 March 1852 – 22 June 1896), was a British actor, impresario, and dramatist.

Contents

Early life

Harris was born in Paris, France, the son of Augustus Glossop Harris (1825–1873), who was also a dramatist, and his wife, née Maria Ann Bone, a theatrical costumier. He spent his childhood in London, England, returning to Paris for schooling at age 12.[1]

Career

From 1879, Harris was manager of the Drury Lane Theatre in London, and was nicknamed the "Father of Modern Pantomime" and "Augustus Druriolanus". He introduced Jean de Reszke, Nellie Melba, Emma Eames, and Emma Calvé. His first panto was 'Bluebeard'; the next one 'Forty Thieves'.

Plays

Later life

Harris took an interest in politics, and became a member of the London County Council in 1890, representing the Strand division.[1] He was appointed a sheriff in 1891[1] and deputy lieutenant of the city of London. He was knighted in 1891 and was a chairman of the Eccentric Club.

He died at Folkestone, England in 1896 and is buried in Brompton Cemetery, London.[2]

Personal life

On November 9, 1881, he married Florence Edgcumbe Rendle at St Luke's Church, Redcliffe Gardens. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr. Francis Rendle. The wedding was strictly a private one and they then went to Paris by the ten o'clock express.[3] After the death of Sir Augustus she married Edward O'Connor Terry on 24 October 1904 at Barnes,[4] where she later lived. She died on 5 September 1914.

Legacy

Harris is commemorated at the Drury Lane Theatre with a publicly funded memorial fountain featuring masonic symbols (he was a freemason).

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Manager Harris Dead" (PDF). The New York Times. 23 June 1896. http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9B03E5D71338E233A25750C2A9609C94679ED7CF. Retrieved 21 August 2009. 
  2. ^ Brompton residents at brompton.org
  3. ^ The Era of 12 November 1881
  4. ^ The Penny Illustrated Paper and Illustrated Times of October 29, 1904

External links