Edmund Kean

Edmund Kean (1787-1833), British actor, noted for his interpretation of the Shakespearean repertory. Born in London, the son of an actor, he made his first stage appearance at the age of four. He had little schooling, but studied the art of acting with his uncle. Beginning in 1801 he played leading roles in many theatrical companies, including that of English actor Sarah Siddons. But not until 1814, when he appeared at the Drury Lane Theatre in London as Shylock, was he established as a Shakespearean tragedian. The principal roles that he played subsequently were those of Richard III, Hamlet, Othello, Iago, and Macbeth; he was also celebrated for his performance as Sir Giles Overreach in A New Way to Pay Old Debts, by English playwright Philip Massinger. Kean first appeared in New York City in 1820 as Richard III; he subsequently made a number of American tours. His last performance was at Covent Garden Theatre in London in the part of Othello in 1833. Although he was of small stature, his expressive eyes, command of facial expression, powerful and musical voice, and deep understanding of the characters he played made him the foremost British tragedian of his time.

Kean's son, Charles John Kean, acted in many plays with his father and made several successful tours of the U.S.