Cibber, Susannah (1714–1766)

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Cibber, Susannah (1714–1766)

English singer and actress. Born Susannah Maria Arne in London, England, Feb 1714; died at Westminster, Jan 30, 1766; buried in Westminster Abbey; dau. of a Covent Garden upholsterer; sister of the composer Thomas Arne; married Theophilus Cibber (1703–1758, actor-manager and son of Colley Cibber), 1834 (div.); children: 2 who died in infancy.

Eminent actress and singer, made debut at 18 at the Haymarket in the opera Amelia by Lumpé; became the 2nd wife of the notorious Theophilus Cibber who directed her in her 1st success as a tragic actress in Voltaire's Zaïre (1736); after having an affair with William Sloper, was the subject of a sensational trial when Theophilus sued for damages; saw career put on hold for 14 years because of the notoriety; returning to the theater (1753), became Garrick's most famous partner at the Drury Lane.

See also Women in World History.