Elizabeth Barry

Elizabeth Barry 1658-1713, English actress. She gained entrance to the stage through the patronage of the earl of Rochester. From the time of her appearances at the Theatre Royal (1682-95) until her last performance at the Haymarket in 1710, she was Betterton's leading lady and reigned as the greatest tragic actress of the Restoration stage. She created the heroines in the tragedies of Thomas Otway , who all his life nourished a hopeless love for her.

Barry, Elizabeth (1658–1713), a celebrated actress who owed her entrance to the stage to the patronage of the earl of Rochester. She created more than 100 roles, including Monimia in Otway's The Orphan. Otway was passionately devoted to her, but she did not return his affection.

Barry, Elizabeth (1658–1713), the first outstanding English actress, who made her first successful appearance, after several failures, in a revival of Orrery's Mustapha (1675). She played opposite Betterton for many years and is credited with the creation of over 100 roles, including Monimia in Otway's The Orphan (1680) and Belvidera in his Venice Preserv'd (1682), and Zara in Congreve's The Mourning Bride (1697). Though good in comedy, she was at her best in tragedy, in which she displayed great power and dignity. Many scandals are attached to her name, some perhaps undeservedly. She retired in 1710 and, as far as is known, never married.