GARRICK, DAVID

(1717-79), Eng. actor and dramatist; b. Here ford; s. of an army captain; ed. at Litchfield, where he met Samuel Johnson; accompanied the latter to London; set up in busine as wine merchant, but to no purpose; turned actor, and achieved immediate succe as Richard IIJ., 1741. He later played at Covent Garden and Drury Lane Theatres, becoming, with Lacy, joint-proprietor of the latter house in 1747. He disposed of his share in the theatre for $175,000 in 1766, and retired from the stage. He died three years later and was buried in Westminster Abbey. G., who was below middle height, had a face of great mobility, and po e ed wonderful powers of mimicry. He was probably the most versatile actor ever seen on the Eng. stage, and his range included all the leading Shakespeare an parts, both tragic and comic, besides numerous character studies in his own plays and many of the older dramatists. His lasting vogue was due to the naturalne of his acting; and his vivacious style, in place of the ' stilted, declamatory manner of his predece ors, gave new life to Shakespeare as a stage dramatist.