Edmund Kean was born on March 17, 1787, in London, the son of an actress who abandoned him. His father was probably Edmund Kean, an architect’s clerk. He led a wild boyhood, running away from those who took charge of him, even going to sea as a cabin-boy.
Kean made his first appearance on the stage, aged four, as Cupid in Jean-Georges Noverre’s ballet of Cymon. On the death of his uncle he was taken charge of by Miss Tidswell, and under her direction he began the systematic study of the principal - Shakespearian characters, displaying the peculiar originality of his genius by interpretations entirely different from those of Kemble. His talents and interesting countenance induced a Mrs Clarke to adopt him, but the slight of a visitor so wounded his pride that he suddenly left her house and went back to his old surroundings.
In his fourteenth year he obtained an engagement to play leading characters for twenty nights in York Theatre, appearing as Hamlet, Hastings and Cato. Shortly afterwards, while he was in the strolling troupe belonging to Richardson's show, the rumour of his abilities reached Georgewho commanded him to recite at Windsor. He subsequently joined Saunders's circus, where in the performance of an equestrian feat he fell and broke his legs-the accident leaving traces of swelling in his insteps throughout his life. About this time he picked up music from Charles Incledon, dancing from D'Egville, and fencing from Angelo.
By 1807 Edmund was playing with Mrs. Siddons, and in 1814 his Shylock at Drury Lane Theatre was a triumph. His most famous roles in London were Richard III, Hamlet, Macbeth, Iago, and Othello.
In 1820 Edmund toured the United States successfully. However, a broken engagement in Boston and divorce proceedings in England in which he appeared as corespondent brought him into disfavor, but he recovered his popularity on his return to the United States five years later.
Kean collapsed during a performance of Othello just after uttering the famous words "Othello's occupation's gone." He died at Richmond, England, on May 15, 1833.
Edmund was romantic in style, mobile in expression, wild in appearance, and endowed with a powerful voice.
Kean married Mary Chambers of Waterford, the leading actress, on 17 July 1808. His wife gave birth to two sons, one of whom was actor Charles Kean.
