James Quin (24 February 1693 – 21 January 1766) was an English actor of Irish descent.

Life

Quin was born in King Street,

Covent Garden Covent Garden is a district in London, on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist si ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, an illegitimate son of James Quin, an Irish-born

barrister A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include taking cases in superior courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, researching law and ...

, and his partner (whom he apparently never lawfully married) Mrs. Grinsell. He was the grandson of Mark Quin,

Lord Mayor of Dublin The Lord Mayor of Dublin ( ga, Ardmhéara Bhaile Átha Cliath) is the honorary title of the chairperson ( ga, Cathaoirleach, links=no ) of Dublin City Council which is the local government body for the city of Dublin, the capital of Ireland. The ...

in 1667–8.

William Whitshed William Whitshed (1679–1727) was an Irish politician and judge who held office as Solicitor-General and Lord Chief Justice of Ireland; just before his death he became Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas. He became the Member of Parliament ...

Lord Chief Justice of Ireland The Court of King's Bench (or Court of Queen's Bench during the reign of a Queen) was one of the senior courts of common law in Ireland. It was a mirror of the Court of King's Bench in England. The Lord Chief Justice was the most senior judge i ...

, was his first cousin. He was educated 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 ...

, and probably spent some time at

Trinity College, Dublin , name_Latin = Collegium Sanctae et Individuae Trinitatis Reginae Elizabethae juxta Dublin , motto = ''Perpetuis futuris temporibus duraturam'' (Latin) , motto_lang = la , motto_English = It will last i ...

. His grandfather, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who caused a sensation by committing

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and s ...

Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin Christ Church Cathedral, more formally The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, is the cathedral of the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the cathedral of the ecclesiastical province of the United Provinces of Dublin and Cashel in the ( ...

in 1674, supposedly because of his wife's infidelity, was one of the richest men in Dublin. James unsuccessfully claimed a share of the family fortune,Sturgeon, Sinéad "Quin, James" ''Dictionary of Irish Biography'' but he could not prove that his parents had been lawfully married, since his mother had a previous husband who was still alive. Soon after his father's death in 1710, he made his first appearance on the stage at Abel in Sir Robert Howard's ''The Committee'' at the Smock Alley Theatre. Quin's first London engagement was in small parts 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 ...

, and he secured his first triumph at Bajazet in Nicholas Rowe's ''

Tamerlane Timur ; chg, ''Aqsaq Temür'', 'Timur the Lame') or as ''Sahib-i-Qiran'' ( 'Lord of the Auspicious Conjunction'), his epithet. ( chg, ''Temür'', 'Iron'; 9 April 133617–19 February 1405), later Timūr Gurkānī ( chg, ''Temür Kür ...

'', on 8 November 1715. The next year he appeared as Hotspur at

Lincoln's Inn The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of the four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. (The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn.) Lincoln ...

, where he remained for fourteen years. On 10 July 1718 he was convicted of

manslaughter Manslaughter is a common law legal term for homicide considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is sometimes said to have first been made by the ancient Athenian lawmaker Draco in the 7th cen ...

for having killed William Bowen, another actor, in a duel which the victim had himself provoked. Quin was not severely punished, the affair being regarded as more of an accident than a crime.Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Quin, James". Encyclopædia Britannica. 22 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 751–752. The public took a similar view of another episode in which Quin, on being attacked by a young actor who had been angered by the sarcastic criticism of his superior, drew his sword upon him and killed him. He took leading roles in ''Othello'' and ''Macbeth'' with

Anna Maria Seymour Anna Maria Seymour or Mrs Seymour (c. 1692 – 10 July 1723) was a British actress. Life Seymour is first heard of in 1717 when she appeared at Drury Lane in ''The Scowrers''. She took leading roles in Richard III and Hamlet with Lacy Ryan as w ...

as leading actress.Roland Metcalf, 'Seymour, Anna Maria (c.1692–1723)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 200
accessed 26 May 2015
/ref> But if he was eager in his own defence he was no less so in that of others. In 1721 a drunken nobleman reeled onto the stage of the theatre and assaulted the manager, Rich, whose life was saved by Quin's prompt armed interference. This resulted in a riot, and thereafter a guard was stationed in all theatres. In 1732 Quin appeared at

, returning to Drury Lane from 1734 to 1741, and in 1742 was again at Covent Garden, where he remained until the close of his career. On 14 November 1746 Quin played Horatio and

Garrick Garrick may refer to: * Garrick (name), for the name's origin and people with either the surname or given name, the most famous being: ** David Garrick (1717–1779), English actor * Garrick Club, a London gentlemen's club named in honour of David ...

Lothario to the Calista of Mrs Cibber in ''Rose's Fair Penitent''. The applause of the audience was so great as to disconcert if not actually to alarm the two actors. Public interest was yet more keenly stimulated in comparing Garrick's and Quin's impersonations of

Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Battl ...

, the popular verdict being loudly in favour of Garrick. But Quin's

Falstaff Sir John Falstaff is a fictional character who appears in three plays by William Shakespeare and is eulogised in a fourth. His significance as a fully developed character is primarily formed in the plays '' Henry IV, Part 1'' and '' Part 2'', w ...

in ''King Henry IV'' was emphatically preferred to the Hotspur of his rival. In consequence of an attempt made by Garrick in 1750–51 to draw him away from Covent Garden, Quin was enabled to extort from his manager a salary of £1000 a year, the highest figure then reached in the profession. Quin's last regular appearance was on 15 May 1757, as Horatio in the ''Fair Penitent'', though in the following year he twice played Falstaff for the benefit of friends. He had retired to Bath, where he lived a happy life, with late hours and much eating and drinking, until his death on 21 January 1766. He was buried in the abbey church at Bath. Some coolness which had arisen between Quin and Garrick before the former's retirement was dissipated on their subsequent meeting at Chatsworth at the

duke of Devonshire Duke of Devonshire is a title in the Peerage of England held by members of the Cavendish family. This (now the senior) branch of the Cavendish family has been one of the wealthiest British aristocratic families since the 16th century and has be ...

's, and Quin paid many a visit to Garrick's villa at Hampton in the latter part of his life. The

epitaph An epitaph (; ) is a short text honoring a deceased person. Strictly speaking, it refers to text that is inscribed on a tombstone or plaque, but it may also be used in a figurative sense. Some epitaphs are specified by the person themselves be ...

in verse on his tomb was written by Garrick. Quin's will displayed a generous nature, and among numerous bequests was one of fifty pounds to "Mr Thomas Gainsborough,

limner A limner is an illuminator of manuscripts, or more generally, a painter of ornamental decoration. One of the earliest mentions of a limner's work is found in the book ''Methods and Materials of Painting'' by Charles Lock Eastlake (1793–1865). ...

." In the

Garrick Club The Garrick Club is a gentlemen's club in the heart of London founded in 1831. It is one of the oldest members' clubs in the world and, since its inception, has catered to members such as Charles Kean, Henry Irving, Herbert Beerbohm Tree, A ...

in London are two portraits of the actor ascribed to Hogarth, and a portrait by Gainsborough is in

Buckingham Palace Buckingham Palace () is a London royal residence and the administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is often at the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. It ...

. His personality was not gracious. His jokes were coarse; his temper irascible; his love of food, his important airs, and his capacity for deep drinking do not command respect; on the other hand, a few of his jokes were excellent, and there was no rancour in him. On many occasions, he showed his willingness to help persons in distress. His character is summarised by

Smollett Smollett is an English and Scots surname, originally meaning ''small head''. Notable people with the surname include: Individuals * Jake Smollett (born 1989), American actor * Jurnee Smollett (born 1986), American actress * Jussie Smollett (b ...

in ''

Humphry Clinker ''The Expedition of Humphry Clinker'' was the last of the picaresque novels of Tobias Smollett, published in London on 17 June 1771 (three months before Smollett's death), and is considered by many to be his best and funniest work. It is an epis ...

''. As an actor his manner was charged with an excess of gravity and deliberation; his pauses were so portentous as in some situations to appear even ludicrous, but he was well fitted for the delivery of

Milton Milton may refer to: Names * Milton (surname), a surname (and list of people with that surname) ** John Milton (1608–1674), English poet * Milton (given name) ** Milton Friedman (1912–2006), Nobel laureate in Economics, author of '' Free t ...

's poetry, and for the portrayal of the graver roles in his repertory.

Selected roles

* Lieutenant of the Tower in ''

Lady Jane Grey Lady Jane Grey ( 1537 – 12 February 1554), later known as Lady Jane Dudley (after her marriage) and as the "Nine Days' Queen", was an English noblewoman who claimed the throne of England and Ireland from 10 July until 19 July 1553. Jane was ...

'' by Nicholas Rowe (1715) * Vulture in ''

The Country Lasses ''The Country Lasses: or, The Custom of the Manor'' is a 1715 comedy play by the British writer Charles Johnson (writer), Charles Johnson. The original Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Drury Lane cast included Robert Wilks as Modely, Barton Booth as H ...

'' by Charles Johnson (1715) * Rovewell in ''

The Contrivances ''The Contrivances'' is a 1715 comedy play by the British writer Henry Carey. A farce, it produced was an afterpiece to follow on from a revival of ''Bonduca''. The original Drury Lane cast included Henry Norris as Argus, James Quin as Rovew ...

'' by

Henry Carey Henry Carey may refer to: *Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon (1526–1596), politician, general, and potential illegitimate son of Henry VIII *Henry Carey, 1st Earl of Dover (1580–1666), English peer *Henry Carey, 2nd Earl of Monmouth (1596–1661), ...

(1715) *Antenor in ''

The Cruel Gift ''The Cruel Gift: A Tragedy'' is a tragedy (with an unusual happy ending) written by Susanna Centlivre, first performed at Drury Lane in 1716 (and published in 1717). Nicholas Rowe wrote the play's epilogue. The story of ''Ghismunda and Guisca ...

'' by

Susanna Centlivre 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 " ...

(1716) * Scipio in ''

Scipio Africanus Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (, , ; 236/235–183 BC) was a Roman general and statesman, most notable as one of the main architects of Rome's victory against Carthage in the Second Punic War. Often regarded as one of the best military com ...

'' by

Charles Beckingham Charles Beckingham (25 July 1699 – 19 February 1730-31) was an English poet and dramatist. Life Beckingham was born, according to the register of Merchant Taylors' School, on 25 July 1699 (Robinson's ''Register'', ii. 32). His father was a ...

(1718) * Lorenzo in '' The Traitor'' by

Christopher Bullock Sir Christopher Llewellyn Bullock, KCB, CBE (10 November 1891 – 16 May 1972), a prominent member of the Bullock family, was Permanent Under-Secretary at the British Air Ministry from 1931 to 1936. Appointed at the age of 38, he remains one o ...

(1718) * Careful in '' 'Tis Well if it Takes'' by William Taverner (1719) * Henry in ''

Henry IV of France Henry IV (french: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry or Henry the Great, was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from 1572 and King of France from 1589 to 1610. He was the first monarc ...

'' by

(1719) * Walter Raleigh in ''

Sir Walter Raleigh Sir Walter Raleigh (; – 29 October 1618) was an English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer. One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, he played a leading part in English colonisation of North America, suppressed rebellion ...

'' by

George Sewell George Sewell (31 August 19242 April 2007) was an English actor, best known for his television roles, but also active on stage and in films. Early life and career The son of a Hoxton printer and a florist, Sewell left school at the age of 14 a ...

(1719) * Genseric in '' The Imperial Captives'' by

John Mottley John Mottley (1692–1750) was an English writer, known as a dramatist, biographer, and compiler of jokes. Life He was the son of Colonel Thomas Mottley, a Jacobite adherent of James II in his exile, who entered the service of Louis XIV, and was ...

(1720) * Selecus in '' Antiochus'' by

(1721) * Bellmour in ''

Fatal Extravagance ''Fatal Extravagance'' is a 1721 tragedy by the British writer Aaron Hill. It was presented by another writer Joseph Mitchell, a friend of Hill, at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London. The original cast included James Quin as Bellmour, A ...

'' by Aaron Hill (1721) * Mustapha in ''

The Fair Captive ''The Fair Captive'' is a 1721 tragedy by the British writer Eliza Haywood. Performed at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre the cast featured James Quin as Mustapha, John Leigh as Ozmin, Anthony Boheme as Haly, Lacy Ryan as Alphonso, John Egle ...

'' by

Eliza Haywood Eliza Haywood (c. 1693 – 25 February 1756), born Elizabeth Fowler, was an English writer, actress and publisher. An increase in interest and recognition of Haywood's literary works began in the 1980s. Described as "prolific even by the standar ...

(1721) * Tergesius in ''

Hibernia Freed ''Hibernia Freed'' is a 1722 tragedy by the writer William Phillips. It is set during the ninth century during the Viking Invasion of Ireland. It was part of a growing Anglo-Irish interest in traditional Irish history, and part of a tendency to s ...

'' by William Phillips (1722) * Creon in ''

The Fatal Legacy ''The Fatal Legacy'' is a 1723 tragedy by the British writer Jane Robe. It was inspired by Jean Racine's 1664 play ''La Thébaïde''.Staves p.208 It concerns the children of Oedipus in Thebes, Greece, Ancient Thebes. The original Lincoln's Inn F ...

'' by Jane Robe (1723) * Sohemus in ''

Mariamne Mariamne is a name frequently used in the Herodian royal house. In Greek it is spelled Μαριάμη (Mariame) by Josephus; in some editions of his work the second ''m'' is doubled (Mariamme). In later copies of those editions the spelling was ...

'' by

Elijah Fenton Elijah Fenton (20 May 1683 – 16 July 1730) was an English poet, biographer and translator. Life Born in Shelton (now Stoke-on-Trent), and educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, for a time he acted as secretary to the Charles Boyle, 4th Earl of ...

(1723) * Gomel in ''

Edwin The name Edwin means "rich friend". It comes from the Old English elements "ead" (rich, blessed) and "ƿine" (friend). The original Anglo-Saxon form is Eadƿine, which is also found for Anglo-Saxon figures. People * Edwin of Northumbria (die ...

'' by George Jeffreys (1724) * Hermogenes in ''

Belisarius Belisarius (; el, Βελισάριος; The exact date of his birth is unknown. – 565) was a military commander of the Byzantine Empire under the emperor Justinian I. He was instrumental in the reconquest of much of the Mediterranean terri ...

'' by William Phillips (1724) * Lord Severne in ''

The Dissembled Wanton ''The Dissembled Wanton'' is a 1726 comedy play by the British writer Leonard Welsted. The original Lincoln's Inn Fields cast included James Quin as Lord Severne, Lacy Ryan Lacy Ryan (c. 1694–1760), English actor, appeared at the Haymar ...

'' by

Leonard Welsted Leonard Welsted (''baptised'' 3 June 1688 – August 1747) was an English poet and "dunce" in Alexander Pope's writings (both in ''The Dunciad'' and in ''Peri Bathos''). Welsted was an accomplished writer who composed in a relaxed, light heart ...

(1726) * Spring in ''

The Female Fortune Teller ''The Female Fortune Teller'' is a 1726 comedy play by the British writer Charles Johnson.Nicoll p.142 It is a reworking of Edward Ravenscroft's 1683 restoration comedy ''Dame Dobson''. The original cast featured James Quin as Spring, Lacy Ry ...

'' by Charles Johnson (1726) * Warcourt in ''

Money the Mistress ''Money the Mistress'' is a 1726 comedy play by the Irish writer Thomas Southerne. It was his final play. Staged by John Rich (producer), John Rich at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre, the cast included James Quin as Warcourt, Lacy Ryan as Mourv ...

'' by

Thomas Southerne Thomas Southerne (12 February 166026 May 1746) was an Irish dramatist. Biography Thomas Southerne, born on 12 February 1660, in Oxmantown, near Dublin, was an Irish dramatist. He was the son of Francis Southerne (a Dublin brewer) and Margaret ...

(1726) * Didas in ''

Philip of Macedon Philip II of Macedon ( grc-gre, Φίλιππος ; 382 – 21 October 336 BC) was the king (''basileus'') of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia from 359 BC until his death in 336 BC. He was a member of the Argead dynasty, founders of the a ...

'' by David Lewis (1727) * Eurydamas in ''

The Fall of Saguntum ''The Fall of Saguntum'' is a 1727 tragedy by the British writer Philip Frowde. The plot revolves around the Siege of Saguntum in the Second Punic War, and is fall the forces of the Ancient Carthage, Carthaginian general Hannibal. Influenced by th ...

'' by

Philip Frowde Philip Frowde (died 1738) was an English poet and dramatist. Life Frowde was the son of Ashburnham Frowde, deputy postmaster-general from 1678 to 1688. His grandfather, Colonel Philip Frowde, for his faithful adherence to Charles I and Charles I ...

(1727) * Artaxerses in '' The Virgin Queen'' by Richard Barford (1728) * Themistocles in ''

Themistocles Themistocles (; grc-gre, Θεμιστοκλῆς; c. 524–459 BC) was an Athenian politician and general. He was one of a new breed of non-aristocratic politicians who rose to prominence in the early years of the Athenian democracy. A ...

'' by

Samuel Madden Samuel Madden (23 December 1686 – 31 December 1765) was an Irish author. His works include ''Themistocles; The Lover of His Country'', ''Reflections and Resolutions Proper for the Gentlemen of Ireland'', and ''Memoirs of the Twentieth Century' ...

(1729) * Cound Waldec in ''

Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh ''Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh'' is a 1729 historical play, historical tragedy by the British writer Eliza Haywood. It is based on the life medieval ruler Frederick I, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Haywood, well-known for her novel ...

'' by

(1729) * Clitus in ''

Philotas Philotas ( el, Φιλώτας; 365 BC – October 330 BC) was the eldest son of Parmenion, one of Alexander the Great's most experienced and talented generals. He rose to command the Companion Cavalry, but was accused of conspiring against Alexa ...

'' by

(1731) * Periander in ''

Periander Periander (; el, Περίανδρος; died c. 585 BC) was the Second Tyrant of the Cypselid dynasty that ruled over ancient Corinth. Periander's rule brought about a prosperous time in Corinth's history, as his administrative skill made Corinth o ...

'' by John Tracy (1731) * Glycon in '' Merope'' by George Jeffreys (1731) * Thoas in ''

Orestes In Greek mythology, Orestes or Orestis (; grc-gre, Ὀρέστης ) was the son of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, and the brother of Electra. He is the subject of several Ancient Greek plays and of various myths connected with his madness and ...

'' by

Lewis Theobald Lewis Theobald (baptised 2 April 1688 – 18 September 1744), English textual editor and author, was a landmark figure both in the history of Shakespearean editing and in literary satire. He was vital for the establishment of fair texts for Sha ...

(1731) * Old Bellefleur in ''

The Married Philosopher ''The Married Philosopher'' is a 1732 comedy play by the writer John Kelly. It was inspired by the 1727 play ''Le Philosophe Marié'' by the French writer Philippe Néricault Destouches.Nicoll p.404 The original Lincoln's Inn Fields cast included ...

'' by John Kelly (1732) * Bosola in ''

The Fatal Secret ''The Fatal Secret'' is a 1733 tragedy by the British writer Lewis Theobald.Nicoll p.359 The original Covent Garden cast included Lacy Ryan as Ferdinand, Thomas Walker as Cardinal of Aragon, William Milward as Antonio, Thomas Chapman as Marqui ...

'' by

(1733) * Lycomedes, King of Scyros in ''

Achilles In Greek mythology, Achilles ( ) or Achilleus ( grc-gre, Ἀχιλλεύς) was a hero of the Trojan War, the greatest of all the Greek warriors, and the central character of Homer's ''Iliad''. He was the son of the Nereid Thetis and Peleus, k ...

'' by

John Gay John Gay (30 June 1685 – 4 December 1732) was an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for ''The Beggar's Opera'' (1728), a ballad opera. The characters, including Captain Macheath and Polly Peac ...

(1733) * Amurath in '' The Christian Hero'' by

George Lillo George Lillo (3 February 1691 – 4 September 1739) was an English playwright and tragedian. He was also a jeweller in London. He produced his first stage work, ''Silvia, or The Country Burial'', in 1730, and a year later his most famous play, ...

(1735) * Mondish in '' The Universal Gallant'' by

Henry Fielding Henry Fielding (22 April 1707 – 8 October 1754) was an English novelist, irony writer, and dramatist known for earthy humour and satire. His comic novel '' Tom Jones'' is still widely appreciated. He and Samuel Richardson are seen as founders ...

(1735) * Protheus in ''

The Universal Passion ''The Universal Passion'' is a 1737 comedy play by the British writer James Miller. It is a reworking of Shakespeare's ''Much Ado About Nothing''.Findlay p.6 The original Drury Lane cast included William Milward as Gratiano, William Mills as B ...

'' by James Miller (1737) * Outside in ''

Art and Nature ''Art and Nature'' is a 1738 comedy play by the British writer James Miller. The play received a rough reception from what Miller described a "faction" in the Drury Lane audience, and its run was not extended beyond a single night. He described ...

'' by James Miller (1738) * Agamemnon in ''

Agamemnon In Greek mythology, Agamemnon (; grc-gre, Ἀγαμέμνων ''Agamémnōn'') was a king of Mycenae who commanded the Greeks during the Trojan War. He was the son, or grandson, of King Atreus and Queen Aerope, the brother of Menelaus, the husb ...

'' by James Thomson (1738) * Solyman in '' Mustapha'' by David Mallet (1739) * Elmerick in '' Elmerick'' by

(1740)

References

External links

*http://www.libraryireland.com/biography/JamesQuin.php
James Quin: "The Bellower" QI S17E03

Other sources

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Quin, James Irish male stage actors English male stage actors 1693 births 1766 deaths People from County Dublin 17th-century Irish male actors 18th-century Irish male actors English people convicted of manslaughter 18th-century English male actors Irish emigrants to Great Britain