Sophia Baddeley born Sophia Snow (1745 – July 1786) was an English actress, singer and

courtesan Courtesan, in modern usage, is a euphemism for a "kept" mistress (lover), mistress or prostitute, particularly one with wealthy, powerful, or influential clients. The term historically referred to a courtier, a person who attended the Royal cour ...

Early life, musical career

She was born in London, the daughter of Mary and

Valentine Snow Valentine Snow (c. 1700 – December 1770) was the trumpeter for George Frideric Handel. In 1745 Snow and his wife Mary had a daughter named Sophia when he was the sergeant-trumpeter to George II. She was trained for a musical career ...

, who was the sergeant-trumpeter to

George II George II or 2 may refer to: People * George II of Antioch (seventh century AD) * George II of Armenia (late ninth century) * George II of Abkhazia (916–960) * Patriarch George II of Alexandria (1021–1051) * George II of Georgia (1072–1089) * ...

. As a child, she was trained by her father for a future musical career. left, Mrs Baddeley in the role of Joan of Arc At the age of eighteen she eloped with the actor Robert Baddeley, then on the stage at

Drury Lane Drury Lane is a street on the eastern boundary of the Covent Garden area of London, running between Aldwych and High Holborn. The northern part is in the borough of Camden and the southern part in the City of Westminster. Notable landmarks ...

. She made her first appearance on 27 April 1765, as Ophelia in ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

.'' She also played Cordelia in ''

King Lear ''King Lear'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between two of his daughters. He becomes destitute and insane an ...

'', Imogen in '' Cymbeline'' and later Olivia in ''

Twelfth Night ''Twelfth Night'', or ''What You Will'' is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night's entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Vio ...

''. In 1769, she joined

David Garrick David Garrick (19 February 1717 – 20 January 1779) was an English actor, playwright, theatre manager and producer who influenced nearly all aspects of European theatrical practice throughout the 18th century, and was a pupil and friend of Sa ...

's theatre company when he staged the Stratford Jubilee. In that year she appeared in a Royal Command Performance of The Clandestine Marriage on 12 October. She appeared as Fanny Sterling with Robert as Canton and Thomas King as Lord Ogleby. These three were painted in that role by Johan Zoffany and the painting is now owned by the Garrick Club. Baddeley was noted as a talented singer rather than as an actress, she obtained engagements at Ranelagh and

Vauxhall Vauxhall ( ) is a district in South West London, part of the London Borough of Lambeth, England. Vauxhall was part of Surrey until 1889 when the County of London was created. Named after a medieval manor, "Fox Hall", it became well known for ...

Gardens to public acclaim.

Life as a courtesan

At the height of her success and after separating from her husband in 1770, she discovered that she could sustain herself financially by finding wealthy benefactors and establishing herself as a courtesan to them. Probably her best-known lover was Peniston Lamb, 1st Viscount Melbourne. She was famous for her beauty, and was also noted for her extravagant lifestyle. Her overspending and ultimate failure in managing her finances eventually obliged her to take refuge from her creditors in

Dublin Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...

, Ireland and later

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

, Scotland. Her benefactors gone, and her own health in decline, she made her last appearance on the stage in

in 1785. She died of consumption, aged 41, the following year.Free Library: "The Sentimental Satire of Sophia Baddeley"
Accessed 26 February 2013

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External links

* Sophia is the subject of the second half of this article. {{DEFAULTSORT:Baddeley, Sophia 1745 births 1786 deaths English courtesans Actresses from London English women singers 18th-century English people 18th-century English actresses English stage actresses

Early life, musical career

Life as a courtesan

Further reading

References

External links