Charlotte Tidswell (c. 1760 – 3 September 1846) was an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

actress.

Life

Tidswell was born in 1759 or 1760 and her father may have been a soldier. She may have been acting for five years when her name was first mentioned when she appeared with the company creating "The Busy Body" at Drury Lane. This would end up being her main theatre. She had been the mistress of Charles Howard who was a

Duke of Norfolk Duke of Norfolk is a title in the peerage of England. The seat of the Duke of Norfolk is Arundel Castle in Sussex, although the title refers to the county of Norfolk. The current duke is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk. The dukes ...

and it was conjectured that this was the reason she started at Drury Lane. In 1787

Edmund Kean Edmund Kean (4 November 178715 May 1833) was a celebrated British Shakespearean stage actor born in England, who performed, among other places, in London, Belfast, New York, Quebec, and Paris. He was known for his short stature, tumultuo ...

was born. The identify of his mother is unknown and many suspected that Tidswell who was known to have as "Aunt Tid" was his mother. She certainly mothered him and took an interest in him as he developed into an acting prodigy and she steered his career. His father figure was Moses Kean who was a solo performer, but it is not certain who Edmund's father was. One source says that it was Moses younger brother. Moses died in 1792. Richard III at Drury Lane

Tidswell would act during the winter at Drury Lane but she never took a leading role. She changed address frequently and that is thought to have been due to finances. She was earning about three pounds a weeks although in time she would get an annual benefit performance and during the summer she would take other acting roles. In the summer she was usually in Liverpool, but sometimes in Brighton. In the winter she might play a named

Shakespearean William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

role like the Duchess of York in ''Richard III'' or Lady Capulet in ''

Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetim ...

''. It was noted at the time that although she never played a leading part she attracted a large amount of attention from the critics. She played courtesans and women of poor character but she was applauded for not confusing her character's shortcomings with her own private life. She was a respectable actor when she decided to retire on 21 May 1822. As was the custom, there was a benefit performance for her and Edmund Kean was there to oversee proceedings and convey her thanks to those present. She returned Kean's kindness and as he went into old age she would care for him at his home in

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, Virginia, the capital of Virginia, United States * Richmond, London, a part of London * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town in England * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, ...

. He died in 1833. Tidswell died at her home in

Chelsea Chelsea or Chelsey may refer to: Places Australia * Chelsea, Victoria Canada * Chelsea, Nova Scotia * Chelsea, Quebec United Kingdom * Chelsea, London, an area of London, bounded to the south by the River Thames ** Chelsea (UK Parliament consti ...

in 1846.

Selected roles

* Penelope in '' The Natural Son'' by

Richard Cumberland Richard Cumberland may refer to: * Richard Cumberland (philosopher) (1631–1718), bishop, philosopher * Richard Cumberland (dramatist) (1732–1811), civil servant, dramatist * Richard Cumberland (priest) (1710–1737), Archdeacon of Northa ...

(1784) * Tiffany in ''

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'' by

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(1786) * Virgin in '' The Captives'' by

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(1786) * Nerina in ''

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'' by

Robert Jephson Robert Jephson (1736 – 31 May 1803) was an Irish dramatist and politician. Life He was born in Ireland, a younger son of John Jephson, Archdeacon of Cloyne. He entered Trinity College, Dublin in 1751, but left without a degree. He then j ...

(1787) * Mrs Pinup in ''

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'' by

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(1787) * Mrs Kate in ''

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'' by

(1795) * Lucy in ''

The Last of the Family ''The Last of the Family'' is a comedy play by the British writer Richard Cumberland. It was first staged at Drury Lane Theatre on 8 May 1797 as a benefit performance for the actor John Bannister. The original cast included William Dowton as ...

'' by

(1795) * Attendant in ''

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'' by

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(1796) * Mrs. Blaball in ''

The East Indian ''The East Indian'' is a 1799 comedy play by the British writer Matthew Lewis. It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 22 April 1799. It was partly inspired by characters from Frances Burney's ''Cecilia'' while the playbill advertised it ...

'' by Matthew Lewis (1799) * Susan in ''

The Land We Live In ''The Land We Live In'' is an 1804 comedy play by the British writer Francis Ludlow Holt. It appeared at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London on 29 December 1804.Greene p.4514 The cast included Dorothea Jordan as Lady Lovelace, Richard Wroughto ...

'' by

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(1804) * Sarah in ''

The School for Friends ''The School for Friends'' is an 1805 comedy play by the British writer Marianne Chambers. It premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London on 10 December 1805. The Drury Lane cast featured Robert William Elliston as Lord Belmour, Richard ...

'' by

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(1805) * Margaret in ''

The Siege of St Quintin ''The Siege of St Quintin'' is an 1808 historical play by the British writer Theodore Hook. It is inspired by the 1557 Battle of St. Quentin. Its theme of a past Anglo-Spanish victory over the French was in line with British support for modern Sp ...

'' by

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(1808) * Bettina in ''

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'' by Matthew Lewis (1820)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tidswell, Charlotte 1760 births 1846 deaths 18th-century English actresses 19th-century English actresses People from Chelsea, London