George Horton Barrett

Background

He was born on June 9, 1794, in Exeter, England, of a theatrical family.

Career

He appeared on the stage of the Federal as Cora's Child in Pizarro, though, according to Ireland, at an earlier date, December 10, 1798, at the Park Theatre, New York, he was one of the children in Dunlap's version of Kotzebue's The Stranger, in the cast with his father, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Hallam, Jr. , Mr. Jefferson, and Mrs. Melmoth. He was thus reared in the oldest tradition of the American Theatre, and continued in it to the end.

After his first real essay, as Young Norval, May 5, 1806, for his mother's benefit, Barrett won great applause as a "genteel comedian, " his "fine appearance and manly beauty" being best seen in such rôles as Rover, Young Marlow, and Bob Handy. He was popularly known as "Gentleman George. " Ireland states that at the New York Park he was Belcour in The West Indian, March 5, 1822, and that he also played such rôles as Leon in Rule a Wife, Beverly in The Gamester, Jeremy Didler (wherein he exhibited delightful vivacity), Charles Surface, and others. He was, asserts Ireland, "indisputably the best light comedian in America. "

Meanwhile Barrett's career was a checkered one. In 1828 or 1829, with Gilfert, he ventured as manager of the Bowery Theatre, but, meeting with no success, returned to the stage, from 1830 to 1833 appearing in various capacities. Under Alfred Bunn, at the Drury Lane Theatre, London, he was playing Puff in 1837. At about 1842 he was keeping a restaurant in St. Louis. In 1847, he was manager of the Broadway Theatre, and thereafter returned to Drury Lane for an engagement. On December 7, 1848 Simpson of the New York Park gave a "star" revival of The School for Scandal, Barrett playing Charles Surface to the Sir Peter of Henry Placide and the Sir Oliver of W. E. Burton.

He also at this time appeared in a stage version of Dombey and Son. In 1852-53, he was stage manager of a theatre in Charleston, while during the season of 1854-55 he was playing at Burton's Theatre. Soon after this ill health forced him to retire from the stage. At the New York Academy of Music, November 20, 1855, a farewell benefit was tendered him. Part of The Merchant of Venice was given, with Wallack, Placide, and Madame Ponisi in the cast. As an apology for accepting the benefit Barrett presented two little girls, offspring of a second marriage with a Miss Mason, then deceased.

He delivered a farewell address, and then a scene from The School for Scandal closed the program, with Blake, Brougham, Charles Fisher, Lester Wallack, and T. Placide playing. Five years later he died in New York, a teacher of elocution, poor and unknown.

Achievements

• George Horton Barrett achieved short-term fame as an actor and author, but was soon forgotten.

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• Joe Cowell, the pioneer manager of the South, said of him that "as an actor in smart, impudent servants, eccentric parts, bordering on caricature, and light comedy, where the claims to the gentleman do not exceed those required for Corinthian Tom, he is excellent".

Connections

On June 24, 1825, he married Mrs. Anne Jane Henry (1801 - 53), who had made her appearance as a dancer in Boston during 1813 and her New York appearance as an actress in the rôle of Letitia Hardy in 1824. By a former marriage to W. C. Drummond (1817) she had two children; by Barrett she had a daughter, Georgiana, born in February 1829 (Wemyss, Chronology), who for a time acted with her father, but retired on her marriage in 1852 to Phillip Warren, treasurer of the Broadway Theatre.

Father:

Giles Leonard Barrett

Wife:

Anne Jane Henry

Daughter:

Georgiana Barrett

References

• A Dictionary of the Drama; A Guide to the Plays, Play-Wrights, Players, and Playhouses of the United Kingdom and America, from the Earliest Times to the Present