Abington, Frances (1737–1815)

views updated

Abington, Frances (1737–1815)

English actress. Name variations: Frances or Fanny Barton. Born Frances Barton in London, England, in 1737; died in London on March 4, 1815; daughter of a private soldier in the King's Guards; married her music-master, one of the royal trumpeters (soon separated).

From the position of domestic servant, flowergirl, and streetsinger in St. James's Park who went by the name of "Nosegay Fan," Fanny Abington rose to prominence on the English stage and enjoyed a successful career for 43 years. Her first appearance was as Miranda in The Busybody in 1755. She originated over 30 characters, including Lady Bab in High Life Below Stairs, Betty in the Clandestine Marriage, Charlotte in the Hypocrite, Charlotte Rusport in the West Indian, Roxalana in the Sultan, Miss Hoyden in the Trip to Scarborough, and, her crowning triumph, Lady Teazle in The School for Scandal. Abington starred at the Drury Lane from 1764–82 and at Covent Garden from 1782–90. Her last appearance was in 1799.