Ira Aldridge
Pioneering Black Shakespearean actor and theatre manager
Ira Frederick Aldridge (July 24, 1807 – August 7, 1867) was an American-born British actor, playwright, and theatre manager, known for his portrayal of Shakespearean characters. James Hewlett and Aldridge are regarded as the first Black American tragedians.
- born
- July 24, 1807, New York City, United States
- died
- August 7, 1867, Łódź, Poland
- field
- Actor, playwright, theatre manager
- nationality
- American-born British
- known_for
- Portrayal of Shakespearean characters; first Black American tragedian; manager of Coventry Theatre Royal
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1807-07-24
- Birth Place
- New York City, U.S.
- Death Date
- 1867-08-07
- Death Place
- Łódź, Congress Poland
- Burial Place
- Old Łódź Cemetery, Poland
- Citizenship
- United States, United Kingdom
- Spouse
- Margaret Gill · 1825 · 1864 · end=d. · Amanda von Brandt · 1865
- Children
- 5, including Amanda and Luranah
- Occupation
- Actor · playwright
- Years Active
- 1820s–1867
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Born in New York City, Aldridge's first professional acting experience was in the early 1820s with the African Grove Theatre troupe. Facing discrimination in America, he left in 1824 for England and made his debut at London's Royal Coburg Theatre. As his career grew, his performances of Shakespeare's classics eventually met with critical acclaim and he subsequently became the manager of Coventry's Coventry Theatre Royal. From 1852, Aldridge regularly toured much of Continental Europe and received top honours from several heads of state. He died suddenly while on tour in Poland and was buried with honours in Łódź. Two of Aldridge's daughters, Amanda and Luranah, became professional opera singers.
Reader's Guide
Aldridge is the only actor of African-American descent honoured with a bronze plaque at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. He managed Coventry Theatre Royal after his acting impressed the people of Coventry, becoming the first ever African American to manage a British theatre.
Did You Know?
- Aldridge's first professional acting experience was in the early 1820s with the African Company, founded by William Henry Brown and James Hewlett.
- He emigrated to Liverpool, England, in 1824 with actor James Wallack.
- Aldridge temporarily took the name Keene, a homonym for the then popular British actor Edmund Kean.
- He was called 'African Roscius' after the famous Roman actor of the first century BCE.
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