Melmoth, Charlotte (1749–1823)

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Melmoth, Charlotte (1749–1823)

English-born actress. Born 1749 in England, probably London; died 1823 in US; when young, ran away with actor Courtney Melmoth (1749–1814, whose real name was Samuel Jackson Pratt and who later became a popular author, dramatist and bookseller); soon separated but continued to use his name.

Began career in Dublin, London, and Edinburgh and enjoyed great success (1773); appeared at Covent Garden (1774) and Drury Lane (1776); came to prominence in NY as Euphrasia in Grecian Daughter with the American Company (1793); became well known for roles in such tragedies as Macbeth; acted with Chestnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia, and later opened school of English elocution in Brooklyn.

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Melmoth, Charlotte (1749–1823)

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