Frances Ann Denny Drake

Background

Frances Ann Denny Drake was born on November 6, 1797 in Schenectady, New York, United States. Having been brought up in Albany, was always regarded as a Western product, and was in fact sometimes called the “Star of the W. ”

Education

Drake was educated in the Albany schools, but adopted the stage as a profession at the early age of seventeen when she joined the little band of actors, principally members of his own family, shepherded by Samuel Drake through the wilds to entertain the legislators of Kentucky.

Career

According to Noah M. Ludlow, at that time likewise a novice but later one of the theatre magnates of the West, she made her début as Julia in The Midnight Hour, in the small town of Cherry Valley, New York, one of the first halting-places of the troupe. It was not long before the young girl was demonstrating that she was endowed with far greater histrionic gifts than any of her associates, talented as several of them were, and, after two or three years in Kentucky and neighboring states, she returned to the East, going first to Canada and reaching New York in 1820.

There she appeared on April 17 at the Park Theatre, playing Helen Worret in Man and Wife.

Her reputation now grew rapidly, and in 1824 she returned to New York as a star.

Although she continued to appear in comedy roles, it was as a tragic actress that her fame was made, and for several years prior to the rise of Charlotte Cushman she was, despite the doubtless greater gifts of Mrs. Duff, generally regarded as the “tragedy queen” of the American stage.

Although by 1836 her powers had begun to fail, she remained on the stage for a number of years.

Achievements

• Frances Ann Denny Drake was the leading actress on the American stage before the rise of Charlotte Cushman.

Personality

Frances' figure and bearing were impressive and she acquired a very grand manner which proved exceedingly effective in the popular tragedies and melodramas.

Yet she had her lighter side, and has been described as a “most joyous, affable creature, full of conundrums and good nature. ”

Connections

In 1822 or 1823 Frances married Alexander Drake, the second son of “Old Sam” and a comedian of unusual talent. She married a second time G. W. Cutter.

Second husband:

G. W. Cutter

Daughter:

Harry Chapman

First husband:

Alexander Drake

Son:

A. E. Drake

Son:

Richard

Son:

Samuel Drake

References

• Dramatic Life As I Found It