Fun Facts Friday: David Garrick

David Garrick (19 February, 1717 – 20 January, 1779) was a playwright, actor, producer, and theater manager from England.

David Garrick with his Wife Eva-Maria Veigel c.1757-64
by William Hogarth (1697-1764)
Books about David Garrick*

1. Born in Angel Inn, Widemarsh Street, Hereford to a family of French origins who fled to London after the rights of Protestants were revoked.
2. He was the third son out of seven children. Mr. Garrick was especially close to his younger brother, George, who served as an aide to him for all his life. George Garrick, died 48 hours after David.
3. David Garrick went to school in Edial Hall, which was owned by Dr. Samuel Johnson, where he started to show an affinity for theater.
4. After the school closed, Garrick and Dr. Johnson, now friends, went to London to find their fortune in the wine business. They were not successful, partially because Garrick distractions by his theatrical passion.
5. It took David Garrick four years living in London before he saw his first professional play at the Theatre Royal. Within a year he was appearing in professional productions in small parts.
6. By all accounts Mr. Garrick was not a good playwright, his major contributions as an actor and producer, however, cannot be overlooked.
7. In 1747, after years as a professional actor, director, and playwright David Garrick became the managing director of the Drury Lane Theatre with James Lacy.
8. He met Eva Marie Veigel, a German singer and dancer, who became his wife. Even though the couple had no children, they had a happy marriage for over 30 years. The couple was painted, together and apart, by famous artist William Hogarth.
9. His 1769 Shakespeare Jubilee in Stratford-upon-Avon was a turning point in helping to cement Shakespeare as England’s national poet.
10. David Garrick also built a Temple to Shakespeare, on the north bank of the River Thames at Hampton, where he housed his memorabilia collection of the bard. It is now open to the public as a museum dedicated to David Garrick.

Books about David Garrick*

Zohar – Man of la Book
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account