Saunderson, Mary (d. 1712)

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Saunderson, Mary (d. 1712)

English actress. Name variations: Mrs. Betterton, Mrs. Saunderson. Died 1712 (some sources cite 1711); m. Thomas Betterton (1635–1710, one of the great actors of the English stage), in 1662.

A member of the Lincoln's Inn company, was the 1st female actor for hire (until then, all women had been played by men); her Lady Macbeth was lauded by actor-dramatist Colley Cibber.