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Edmund Kean—actor

Birth

Edmund Kean was born in London on the 17th of March 1787.

Kean, Edmund, distinguished English tragedian, born in London; trod the stage from his infancy; his first success was Shylock in the “Merchant of Venice” in 1814, and the representation of it was followed by equally famous representations of Richard III., Othello, and Sir Giles Overreach; he led a very dissipated life, and under the effects of it his constitution gave way; he broke down one evening beside his son as Iago, as he was playing the part of Othello, was carried off the stage, and never appeared on the boards again (1787‒1833).

Work

His father was probably Edmund Kean, an architect's clerk; and his mother was an actress, Ann Carey, granddaughter of Henry Carey.

KEAN, Charles- (son of Edmund KEAN) signs receipt for 2 boxes Liverpool 1849 together with several magazine photos including print as HAMLET.

Antony Sher plays Edmund Kean, the great 19th-century romantic actor, who was recreated by Alexandre Dumas on the Paris stage and reinvented by Jean-Paul Sartre in the 20th century.

Edmund Kean, David Garrick, Mrs. Siddons - and even more recently - Laurette Taylor as Amanda Wingfield - these people are still talked about, still referenced.

Edmund Kean''' (March 17, 1787 - May 15, 1833) was an English actor, regarded in his time as the greatest ever. He was born in London. His father was probably Edmund Kean, an architects clerk; and his mother was an actress, Ann Carey, grand-daughter of Henry Carey. Kean made his first appearance on the stage, aged four, as Cupid in Jean-Georges Noverres ballet of Cymon. As a child his vivacity, cleverness and ready affection made him a universal favourite, but his harsh circumstances and lack of discipline, both helped develop self-reliance and fostered wayward tendencies.

Edmund Kean's son Charles followed in his father's footsteps and toured America, as did William Charles Macready, whose rivalry with the American actor Edwin Forrest actually resulted in riots.

Edmund Kean's time, so far as is known, Othello was always quite black.