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Susanna Centlivre (c. 1669 (baptised) – 1 December 1723), born Susanna Freeman and also known professionally as Susanna Carroll, was an English poet, actress, and "the most successful female playwright of the eighteenth century". Centlivre's "pieces continued to be acted after the theatre managers had forgotten most of her contemporaries." During a long career at the
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, commonly known as Drury Lane, is a West End theatre and Grade I listed building in Covent Garden, London, England. The building faces Catherine Street (earlier named Bridges or Brydges Street) and backs onto D ...
, she became known as the second woman of the English stage, after
Aphra Behn Aphra Behn (; bapt. 14 December 1640 – 16 April 1689) was an English playwright, poet, prose writer and translator from the Restoration era. As one of the first English women to earn her living by her writing, she broke cultural barrie ...
.


Life

The main source of information on Centlivre's early life is
Giles Jacob Giles Jacob (1686 – 8 May 1744) was a British legal writer whose works include a well-received law dictionary that became the most popular and widespread law dictionary in the newly independent United States.McDowell, Gary. The Language of Law a ...
, who claimed he had received an account of it directly from her. This was published in ''The Poetical Register'' of 1719, yet it includes little information about her early life. Centlivre was probably baptised Susanna Freeman at
Whaplode __NOTOC__ Whaplode is a village and civil parish in the South Holland district of Lincolnshire, England. It is just west of the Prime Meridian. The parish includes the village of Whaplode Drove, and the hamlets of Shepeau Stow, Dowsdale, Whap ...
, Lincolnshire on 20 November 1669, as the daughter of William Freeman of
Holbeach Holbeach is a market town and civil parish in the South Holland District in Lincolnshire, England. The town lies from Spalding; from Boston; from King's Lynn; from Peterborough; and by road from Lincoln. It is on the junction of the ...
and his wife, Anne, the daughter of Mr Marham, a gentleman of Lynn Regis, Norfolk.J. Milling, "Centlivre , Susanna (bap. 1669?, d. 1723)", ODNB, Oxford University Press, 2004
Retrieved 7 October 2014, subscription required.
/ref> Her father was a dissenter and a parliamentarian; as a result, the family certainly faced persecution at the Restoration. Several biographical sources state that
Holbeach Holbeach is a market town and civil parish in the South Holland District in Lincolnshire, England. The town lies from Spalding; from Boston; from King's Lynn; from Peterborough; and by road from Lincoln. It is on the junction of the ...
was the possible place of her birth or at least the place where she spent her childhood. There is some mystery surrounding her early life, but it is generally believed that her father died when she was three, her mother died shortly after remarrying, and her stepfather married soon after that. Abuse by this new stepmother may have motivated Centlivre to leave her childhood home before the age of 15. There are two stories that tell of her transition to acting and eventual arrival in London. The romanticized version has Centlivre found weeping by the roadside by
Anthony Hammond Anthony Hammond (1668–1738), of Somersham Place, Huntingdonshire and Lidlington, Bedfordshire, was an English official and Tory politician who sat in the English and British House of Commons between 1695 and 1708. He was also known as a poet an ...
, a student at St John's College, Cambridge. Enraptured by her manners and good looks, he smuggled her into his college, where she was disguised as a male cousin, Jack. There she remained hidden for some months studying grammar and acquiring "some of the terms of logic, rhetoric, and ethics" before "attracting too much attention" and deciding to head to London. The more believable scenario has her joining a company of strolling actors in Stamford (about 25 miles from Holbeach), where she gained popularity acting in breeches roles, for which she was suited due to a "small Wen on her left Eye lid, which gave her a Masculine Air." Centlivre's skill in such roles charmed many men, especially Mr Fox, who would soon become Centlivre's first husband when she was sixteen. However, he died less than a year later. Following Fox's death, Centlivre is claimed to have married an army officer named Carroll, who died in a duel a year and a half after their union. She kept the name Carroll until her next marriage. Although much of her early years is speculation, biographers agree that Susanna's knowledge was predominantly self-acquired through reading and conversation. Looking at her use of French drama, it is not hard to see that Centlivre also had a sound knowledge of the French language. After her husband's death, Centlivre spent much of her time in London, where she turned to writing partly for financial support. By 1706, Centlivre had made a small name for herself; however, she still relied on financial support from strolling (acting). It was during a performance when she played the role of Alexander the Great in
Nathaniel Lee Nathaniel Lee (c. 1653 – 6 May 1692) was an English dramatist. He was the son of Dr Richard Lee, a Presbyterian clergyman who was rector of Hatfield and held many preferments under the Commonwealth; Dr Lee was chaplain to George Monck, afterw ...
's tragedy '' The Rival Queens, or the Death of Alexander the Great'' for the court at Windsor Castle that she caught the eye of Joseph Centlivre. Though he was of a lower social class, a mere "yeoman of the mouth ookto Queen Anne," they were married on 23 April 1707. There is no evidence to suggest where they resided for the first seven years of their marriage. Eventually, in late 1712 or early 1713, the Centlivres moved into residence at Buckingham Court, paying the highest rent second only to the Admiralty Office. After a long, illustrious career in high literary esteem with writings in the form of poems, letters, books, and, most famously, plays, Susanna Centlivre died on 1 December 1723, from lingering effects of a serious illness contracted in 1719. ''The Evening Post'', ''London Journal'', ''British Journal'', and ''Weekly Journal'' had brief notices of her death. Centlivre's body was buried three days after her death in St. Paul's, Covent Garden. A little over a year later, her husband followed.


Writings 1700–1710

Giles Jacob Giles Jacob (1686 – 8 May 1744) was a British legal writer whose works include a well-received law dictionary that became the most popular and widespread law dictionary in the newly independent United States.McDowell, Gary. The Language of Law a ...
mentions Centlivre's inclination to poetry with her first poem being written when she was merely seven years old. However, her first published work, a series of five letters, would not appear until May 1700. These letters contain playful, witty back-and-forth banter between her and the correspondent. Although early in her career, she is complimented as woman of sense. In July 1700, Abel Boyers published a second set of Centlivre's letters (among other writers). This time, Centlivre published the letters under the name of Astrea, a pen name previously used by
Aphra Behn Aphra Behn (; bapt. 14 December 1640 – 16 April 1689) was an English playwright, poet, prose writer and translator from the Restoration era. As one of the first English women to earn her living by her writing, she broke cultural barrie ...
, a move that was most likely motivated by a wish for public attention. In the letters, the exchange between Astrea and Celadon (Capt. William Ayloffe) are of particular interest due to their intense romantic suggestions. However, biographers generally agree that this was merely practice for the epistolary fiction form. We also get a glimpse of Centlivre's poetry in her correspondence with George Farquhar, who also sometimes published under the name Celadon. Again, it is hard to suggest a definitive romantic relationship between Farquhar and Centlivre; the letters may have been intended for the public eye. Centlivre continued in September 1700, when she contributed a poem, "Of Rhetorick," under the name Polumnia, to The Nine Muses, an elegiac poetry collection left on the grave of
John Dryden '' John Dryden (; – ) was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who in 1668 was appointed England's first Poet Laureate. He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the p ...
. In October 1700, Centlivre published her first play, '' The Perjur'd Husband: or, The Adventures of Venice''. This tragicomedy (although considered a tragedy at the time) was performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and, according to Centlivre, "went off with a general Applause." It was published under Susanna's own name, and the prologue made a point of pride out of its female authorship. By the end of 1700, with a long list of literary acquaintances and actors alike, Centlivre was well established in London. Her next play, '' The Beau's Duel'', was performed in June 1702. Well received in its own right, the play did not see a lengthy stage life. Over the next five years or so, Centlivre's work was less successful. As a result, her next two plays, '' The Stolen Heiress'' (December 1702) and '' Love's Contrivance'' (June 1703), were performed under attempts to conceal the sex of the author. Although received well, all of Centlivre's plays up to this point had been performed at inopportune times in the season. It wasn't until ''Love's Contrivance'' that the experience and reputation of the cast allowed for a three-night run (in addition to some later productions and an eventual revival, three years after her death). Centlivre's next comedy, '' The Gamester'', was first performed in February 1705. Here, she declared her intent to reform gamblers. This play was Centlivre's most successful to date and was frequently revived in later years. In 1705, Centlivre, in a brief moment away from the theatre, wrote a complimentary poem for a collection by Sarah Fyge Egerton. Centlivre continued the gambling theme in her next play entitled ''The Basset Table'', performed in November 1705. Although not explicit regarding its authorship, this play's Epilogue indirectly attributes the play to a woman. Following her success with ''The Basset Table'', Centlivre wrote ''Love at a Venture'' and saw it performed in 1706. Centlivre was a highly successful professional playwright. A similarly renowned playwright,
Colley Cibber Colley Cibber (6 November 1671 – 11 December 1757) was an English actor-manager, playwright and Poet Laureate. His colourful memoir ''Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber'' (1740) describes his life in a personal, anecdotal and even rambling ...
, was accused of borrowing parts of ''Love at a Venture'' to write his own play, '' The Double Gallant''. However, in an apparent reconciliation he accepted a part in Centlivre's next play, '' The Platonick Lady'' (November 1706). After having grown weary with anonymous authorship, Centlivre used the preface to ''The Platonick Lady'' to express her distaste for society's outlook on the female writer. Following her third marriage, Centlivre took some time off. This decision turned out to be a good one; her time away resulted in her most successful comedy, '' The Busie Body'' (May 1709). The play ran for thirteen nights, a remarkable run for the time, and was revived the following season. Centlivre's next play, ''The Man's Bewitch'd'', was first performed in December 1709, and satirized the squirearchy of Tory gentlemen. This political satire appeared during an ongoing election campaign, and the Tory press struck back. The weekly ''Female Tatler'' printed an "interview" that it claimed to have done with Centlivre, where she insulted the actors and blamed them for all her failures. The acting company was on the verge of walking out on her before she persuaded them that she was the victim of a politically inspired hoax.


Writings 1710–1723

All of Centlivre's later works have a clear anti- Tory, pro- Whig political affiliation, "notable through the characters of Tory fathers or guardians, whose party fervor forms another obstacle to the happiness of young lovers – always whiggishly inclined." In March 1710, Centlivre released ''A Bickerstaff's Burying'', a political satire. Despite the risk of annoying
Anne, Queen of Great Britain Anne (6 February 1665 – 1 August 1714) was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland from 8 March 1702 until 1 May 1707. On 1 May 1707, under the Acts of Union, the kingdoms of England and Scotland united as a single sovereign state known as ...
, Centlivre was not afraid to openly support the Hanoverian succession. Next, Centlivre took it upon herself to write a sequel to the successful ''The Busy Body'', entitled ''Marplot, or, The Second Part of the Busie-Body'' (December 1710). Although it didn't receive the same attention as its precursor, it was performed seven times. The sequel reflects Centlivre's continuing interest in politics, specifically the battle between Whig and Tory. Once again, Centlivre turned to poetry with a complimentary poem on the recovery of the Duke of Newcastle's daughter. Although this might seem an odd subject to modern readers, Centlivre was merely following conventional protocol in securing patronage. With her next comedy, ''The Perplex'd Lovers'' (January 1712), Centlivre became outspoken in her political stance. Most of her plays over the next five years were directly related to the advancement of the Whigs and the
House of Hanover The House of Hanover (german: Haus Hannover), whose members are known as Hanoverians, is a European royal house of German origin that ruled Hanover, Great Britain, and Ireland at various times during the 17th to 20th centuries. The house ori ...
. The play's success was limited, and it only ran for three nights. The theatre managers banned the Epilogue for fear of backlash. In 1713, after moving into a new home in Buckingham Court, Centlivre wrote two poems. The first poem is a response to
Anne Oldfield Anne Oldfield (168323 October 1730) was an English actress and one of the highest paid actresses of her time. Early life and discovery She was born in London in 1683. Her father was a soldier, James Oldfield. Her mother was either Anne or Eliz ...
's brilliant performance in a play. The second, entitled "The Masquerade," is addressed to the Duke d'Aumont, ambassador from France. Centlivre's next play was ''The Wonder'' (April 1714), a comedy. She dedicated the play to the then Duke of Cambridge. This political move of showing loyalty to the House of Hanover was risky, but, in the end, paid off for Centlivre when the Duke ascended the throne as King George I. We can see her gloating in an ironic autobiographical poem, "A Woman's Case." Not solely a political play, ''The Wonder'' was a popular hit and notably was the performance in which famous actor/playwright
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 S ...
chose "to make his farewell to the stage on 10 June 1776." Centlivre's next two plays, ''A Gotham Election'' and ''A Wife Well Manag'd'', were published in 1715 (although ''A Gotham Election'' would not be performed until 1724) and fell under her now common theme, political farce. These two plays illustrate how Centlivre was ahead of her time with her exemplification of social problems in the theatre. In 1716, as a response to a Whig leader's illness and subsequent retirement, Centlivre contributed a poem to a small publication entitled ''State Poems''. Her contribution was "Ode to Hygeia". She followed this with a series of poems in response to the political climate of the time. After attacks by satirist
Alexander Pope Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 O.S. – 30 May 1744) was an English poet, translator, and satirist of the Enlightenment era who is considered one of the most prominent English poets of the early 18th century. An exponent of Augustan literature, ...
on Centlivre and others, she and co-author Nicholas Rowe published her next play, '' The Cruel Gift'' (December 1716). It was her first heroic drama (often considered tragedy): the reception was good, and the play was performed seven times that year. In February 1718 Centlivre published ''A Bold Stroke for a Wife''. This comical farce was very successful and is considered by some to be her best play. It is the only play for which Centlivre claims complete originality. (It was not uncommon for dramatists to procure various plot pieces and characters from other works.) Continuing her political works, in 1717 Centlivre directed her attention to
Charles XII Charles XII, sometimes Carl XII ( sv, Karl XII) or Carolus Rex (17 June 1682 – 30 November 1718 O.S.), was King of Sweden (including current Finland) from 1697 to 1718. He belonged to the House of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, a branch line of ...
, a Swedish king threatening to attack England. She published a poem, entitled "An Epistle from a Lady of Great Britain to the King of Sweden, on the intended Invasion," in response to Charles's threats. We have two records of poems to Mr. Rowe (Nicholas) in 1718. The first was written during a visit to her hometown of Holbeach and is entitled "From the Country, To Mr. ROWE in Town. M.DCC.XVIII." The second poem followed Rowe's death and is entitled "A PASTORAL TO THE Honoured Memory of Mr. ROWE." The sincerity in the elegy brought Centlivre positive attention. In 1719, Centlivre became seriously ill. Although the effects of this illness would linger until her death, she continued to write. We find two more published poems in 1720. Both are included in Anthony Hammond's ''A New Miscellany of Original Poems, Translations, and Imitations''. Following this, Centlivre published a poem entitled "A Woman's CASE: in an Epistle to CHARLES JOYE, Esq; Deputy-Governor of the South Sea", that traces her political associations and shines some light on her relationship with her husband. She continued to write poetry until her death. Her last play, '' The Artifice'', was produced and published in October 1722.


Themes and genres

Centlivre reflected positively on England's political, economic, and juridical systems. Her plays were often concerned with a theme of liberty within the areas of marriage and citizenry.


Politics

Centlivre was sometimes a political dramatist. She was anti-Catholic to an extreme, as is shown by some of her play dedications, prologues and epilogues. This is especially apparent in her dedication at the beginning of ''The Wonder'', where she expressed her strong support for the proposed Protestant succession. The majority of her plays eschew party political commentary, her only work with an overtly political agenda being ''The Gotham Election''. Some of her more controversial epilogues, such as that of ''The Perplexed Lovers'' where she identifies the out-of-favour war hero Marlborough as the "ONE", were not spoken in the theatre, just published in the play text.


Comedies

Centlivre is best known for her comedies, often following the Spanish style, which is "romantic in plot and spirit, ut containingfar more of the emotions of love and jealousy than Restoration comedies." This type of comedy tended to focus on the romantic intrigues among a triangle of wealthy main characters (generally one young woman being fought over by two young men, one
promiscuous Promiscuity is the practice of engaging in sexual activity frequently with different partners or being indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners. The term can carry a moral judgment. A common example of behavior viewed as promiscuous by man ...
, the other devoted). It often involves disguises, duels (or talk of them), and scenarios that balance emotion and
farce Farce is a comedy that seeks to entertain an audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd, and improbable. Farce is also characterized by heavy use of physical humor; the use of deliberate absurdity or ...
. Her best-known comedies feature quick-witted female intellects to equal their male counterparts. Due to the widespread prejudice against women playwrights, Centlivre sometimes wrote under a pseudonym, or withheld more controversial messages.


Tragedies

Little positive is said of her two tragi-comedies, ''The Perjur'd Husband'' and '' The Stolen Heiress'', although her pure tragedy, '' The Cruel Gift'', was somewhat better received. These plays were thought to have "figures
hat A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...
are shadowy and plot
hat A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...
is unconvincing."


Reception and criticism

Centlivre's plays show a strikingly liberal point of view. She wrote frankly in the face of strong gender roles that discouraged women playwrights. Centlivre was best known as a comic writer. Her plays were popular with audiences but less so with literary critics such as William Hazlitt who wrote condescendingly of them. Satirist
Alexander Pope Alexander Pope (21 May 1688 O.S. – 30 May 1744) was an English poet, translator, and satirist of the Enlightenment era who is considered one of the most prominent English poets of the early 18th century. An exponent of Augustan literature, ...
found her writings offensive for political and religious reasons, and thought them a threat to greater dramatists by pandering to popular taste. He assumed that she had helped with
Edmund Curll Edmund Curll (''c.'' 1675 – 11 December 1747) was an English bookseller and publisher. His name has become synonymous, through the attacks on him by Alexander Pope, with unscrupulous publication and publicity. Curll rose from poverty to weal ...
's anti-Catholic pamphlet ''The Catholic Poet: or, Protestant Barnaby's Sorrowful Lamentation''. Regardless of her peers' opinions, her plays continued to be performed for over 150 years after her death. The diarist Agnes Porter, governess to the children of
Henry Fox-Strangways, 2nd Earl of Ilchester Henry Thomas Fox-Strangways, 2nd Earl of Ilchester (29 July 1747 – 5 September 1802), known as Lord Stavordale from 1756 to 1776, was a British peer and Member of Parliament. Life Ilchester was the eldest son of Stephen Fox-Strangways, 1st E ...
, saw a performance of Centlivre's ''The Busy Body'' at the
Little Theatre Little Theatre or Little Theater may refer to: Australia * Little Theatre, Adelaide, South Australia * Little Theatre, Sydney, former name of the Royal Standard Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales * Melbourne Little Theatre, an amateur theatre compan ...
, Haymarket on 7 March 1791, but wrote that it was "very badly performed".


List of works


Plays

*'' The Perjur'd Husband: or, The Adventures of Venice'' (1700) *'' The Beau's Duel; or, A Soldier for the Ladies'' (1702) *'' The Stolen Heiress; or, the Salamanca Doctor Outplotted'' (1702; published 1703) *'' Love's Contrivance'' (1703) *'' The Gamester'' (1705) *''The Basset Table'' (1705)Morgan and Lyons *''Love at a Venture'' (1706) *'' The Platonick Lady'' (1706) *'' The Busie Body'' (1709) *''The Man's Bewitched; or, the Devil to Do About Her'' (1709) *''A Bickerstaff's Burying; or, Work for the Upholders'' (1710) *''Marplot; or, the Second Part of The Busie Body'' (1710; published 1711) *''The Perplex'd Lovers'' (1712) *''The Wonder: A Woman Keeps A Secret!!!'' (1714) *''A Gotham Election'' (1715, never produced) *''A Wife Well Managed'' (1715; produced 1724) *'' The Cruel Gift'' (1716; published 1717) *'' A Bold Stroke for a Wife'' (1718) *'' The Artifice'' (1722)


Books

*''Familiar and Courtly Letters'' as Astraea (1700) *''The Second Volume of Familiar Letters'' as Astraea (1701) *''Letters of Wit, Politicks and Morality'' as Astraea (1701)


Poems

*"Polminia: Of Rhetorick" (1700, unconfirmed) *"To Mrs. S.F. on her incomparable Poems" (1706) *"The Masquerade, A Poem, Humbly Inscribed to his Grace the Duke D'Aumont" (1713) *"On the Right Honourable Charles Earl of Halifax being made Knight of the Garter" (1714) *"A Poem Humbly Presented to His Most Sacred Majesty George, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland. Upon his Accession to the Throne" (1714) *"An Epistle to Mrs. Wallup, Now in the Train of Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales" (1714) *"To Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Wales. At her Toylet, on ''New-Years Day''" (1715) *"Ode to Hygeia" (1716) *"Upon the Bells ringing at St. Martins in the Fields, on St. George's Day, 1716, being the Anniversary of Queen Anne's Coronation" (1716) *"These Verses were writ on King George's Birth-Day, by Mrs. Centlivre, and sent to the Ringers while the Bells were ringing at Holbeach in Lincolnshire" (1716) *"An Epistle to the King of Sweden from a Lady of Great-Britain" (1717) *"A Woman's Case: In an Epistle to Charles Joye, Esq; Deputy-Governor of the South-Sea" (1720) *"From the Country, to Mr. Rowe in Town" (1720) *"A Pastoral to the Honoured Memory of Mr. Rowe" (1720) *"To the Duchess of Bolton, Upon seeing her Picture drawn unlike her" (1720) *"To the Earl of Warwick, on his Birthday" (1720) *"Letter on the Receipt of a Present of Cyder" (1721)


See also

* List of early-modern British women playwrights


Notes


References

* * * * *


External links


Susanna Centlivre
at th
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive (ECPA)
* * * * *
''A Bold Stroke for a Wife: A Comedy'', Susanna Centlivre
* ttp://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=805 Carraro, Laura Favero. "Susanna Centlivre (1669–1723)." ''Literary Encyclopedia.'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Centlivre, Susanna 1660s births 1723 deaths English women dramatists and playwrights English stage actresses 17th-century English poets 18th-century English poets 17th-century English women writers 17th-century English writers 18th-century British women writers 18th-century British writers 17th-century English actresses 18th-century English actresses 17th-century English dramatists and playwrights 18th-century English dramatists and playwrights English women poets People from Holbeach