Mrs. Siddons

A chronological biography traces the life of a prominent stage performer from family origins and childhood through marriage, the development of a celebrated career, notable roles and tours, friendships, personal sorrows, and eventual retirement and old age. Relying on letters, diary passages, and contemporary documents, it seeks to remove legendary accretions and present everyday details of public performance and private character, discussing critical reception, recurrent themes in repertoire, domestic episodes, and the later years that followed a long public life.