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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BRITAIN
 
  More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)

 
More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
Mrs Siddons

(Sarah Kemble, 1755–1831, m. William Siddons 1773)
The greatest tragic actress of her age and perhaps in the history of the English theatre. She was one of 12 children in a family of strolling players; her brother John Philip Kemble (1757–1823) became a much admired tragic actor, and their niece Fanny *Kemble (1809–93) also had a successful career. Mrs Siddons' first season in London was a failure (the winter of 1775–6, in *Garrick's company), but she then built up a faithful following round the country before returning to captivate Drury Lane in 1782.
 






She avoided comedy, concentrating on the tragic roles in which she could transfix an audience with the intensity of her passion and grief. Lady Macbeth was considered her greatest part; when she chose it for her farewell performance, in 1812, the play was brought to an abrupt end after the character's final appearance in the sleepwalking scene.
 








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