David Garrick (1717–79) was an English actor, producer, dramatist, and poet. A pupil and friend of Dr. Samuel Johnson, Garrick influenced nearly all aspects of theatrical practice throughout the 18th century.
Born in Hereford, Herefordshire, Garrick was educated at Lichfield Grammar School. In 1736, he was sent to study Latin and Greek under Dr. Johnson at Edial, and, in 1737, he set off for London to study law but became a wine merchant 1738–40 with his eldest brother.
Turning to the stage, Garrick’s appeared in several amateur theatricals—his first play was performed at Drury Lane in 1740, and in 1741 he made his successful début as an actor at Ipswich, as Aboan in Thomas Southerne’s Oroonoko. His appearance in the title role of Shakespeare’s Richard III at Goodman’s Fields in London was widely successful. Managers began to take notice, and crowds flocked to the unfashionable East End playhouse.
When Goodman’s Fields closed in 1740, Garrick played at both Drury Lane and Covent Garden but ultimately settled at Drury Lane, of which he became joint manager (1747,) and from where he dominated the English stage for 30 years.
Jean Benedetti wrote the biography David Garrick and the Birth of Modern Theatre (2001.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by David Garrick
Fun gives you a forcible hug, and shakes laughter out of you, whether you will or no.
—David Garrick
Corrupted freemen are the worst of slaves.
—David Garrick
Topics: Slavery
You are indebted to your imagination for three-fourths of your importance.
—David Garrick
Topics: Self-Esteem, Self Respect, Imagination
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