Glover, Julia (1779–1850)
Glover, Julia (1779–1850)
Irish actress. Born Julia Betterton or Butterton on January 8, 1779, in Newry, County Down; died on July 16, 1850; married Samual Glover, around 1800.
The daughter of an actor, Julia Glover was born in Ireland in 1779 and began her career as a child actress, appearing in the English provinces with her father. After she began securing engagements of her own, her father reputedly demanded all her earnings. He also exercised control over her personal life. After the death of the man she loved, an actor by the name of James Biggs, she was forced by her father to marry the wealthy Samual Glover, who treated her badly. The most positive aspect of Glover's life appeared to be her successful career as the leading comic actress of her day. Praised at the expense of her gender as "a rare thinking actress" by the great tragedian William Macready, she made her last appearance at Drury Lane on July 12, 1850, as Mrs. Malaprop in Sheridan's The Rivals. She was so ill during the performance that she could barely speak and died four days later on July 16.