John Henry Brodribb aka Sir Henry Irving

John Henry Brodribb also known as Sir Henry Irving.

John Henry Brodribb was born 6^th February 1838 at Keinton Mandeville, Somerset. He is better known as Sir Henry Irving, the most famous actor-manager of the Victorian era. His father was Samuel Brodribb and mother was Mary Behenna, a Cornishwoman. Both his paternal grandparents died at Clutton, Somerset.

'The Green Room Book published 1908 by T. Sealey Clark & Co. Ltd.'

When John Henry was four (circa. 1842), his parents upped-sticks and moved to London leaving their son in, what they saw as an advantageous healthier country environment. His mothers sister, Sarah Behenna, who married Isaac Penberthy, a Cornish captain of mines, took ward of John Henry and settled him into her home town of Halsetown, Cornwall.

John Henry Brodribb married Florence O'Callaghan on 15^th July 1869 at St. Marlebone, London.

By Royal Licence, dated June 15^th 1887, Henry Irving was authorised to use the surname of Irving in addition to and after that of Brodribb, so now his full name was John Henry Brodribb Irving. 

'The Green Room Book published 1908 by T. Sealey Clark & Co. Ltd.'

His personal life took second place to his professional life. On opening night of The Bells, 25 November 1871, Florence, who was pregnant with their second child, criticised his profession: "Are you going on making a fool of yourself like this all your life?" Irving exited their carriage at Hyde Park Corner, walked off into the night, and chose never to see her again. He maintained a discreet distance from his children as well, but became closer to them as they grew older. Florence Irving never divorced Irving, and once he had been knighted she styled herself "Lady Irving"; Irving never remarried. Read more about Sir Henry Irving via Wikipedia. 

Sir Henry Irving died 13th October 1905 (aged 67) in Bradford, England.  His wife Florence outlived him by many years and was still alive in Folkstone in 1933.

Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Saturday 07 October 1933

 Image courtesy of The British Newspaper Archives. 

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