Davenport, Edward Loomis

Davenport, Edward Loomis (1815–77), American actor, son of an innkeeper, who first appeared on the stage, billed as Mr E. Dee, playing a small part in Massinger's A New Way to Pay Old Debts in 1837. After some years on tour he was seen in New York in 1843 in Mrs John Drew's company, and in 1848, with Mrs Mowatt, visited England, where he remained for several years, being much admired in such roles as Othello, Richard III, Sir Giles Overreach, Claude Melnotte in Bulwer-Lytton's The Lady of Lyons, and the dual title-roles in Boucicault's The Corsican Brothers. On his return to New York he played Hamlet, and then formed his own company. Most of his subsequent career was spent outside New York, and he made his last appearance in 1877 in W. S. Gilbert's Dan'l Druce, Blacksmith at the National Theatre, Washington. Though an excellent actor, he was never a public favourite.

He married an English actress, Fanny Elizabeth Vining (1829–91), who regularly played opposite him. Of their nine children one, Blanche, became an opera singer; four others were on the stage, the best known being Fanny (see below). May (1856–1927) retired on her marriage; Edgar (1862–1918) and Harry (1866–1949) both played in their father's company as children. Edgar as an adult acted with such stars as Julia Marlowe and Viola Allen. Harry married the daughter of an actor and appeared with her in vaudeville before going into films.