Did You Know…? Peg Woffington and David Garrick

Portrait of David Garrick by Thomas Gainsborough (died 1788). See source website for more information. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Margaret (‘Peg’) Woffington, by unknown artist, given to the National Portrait Gallery, London in 1881. See source website for more information. Donated to the NPG before 1939 according to their website. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Did you know that the Irish actress Peg Woffington [c 1718 to 1760] was once the mistress of David Garrick [1717 to 1779] and that they lived together in London at No 6, Bow Street, WC2, between 1742 and 1744?

Whilst Dr Johnson left evidence that Garrick became very cross when the actress was too generous with sugar in the teapot, writer Fanny Burney praised her qualities when entertaining: ‘She was a hostess so attractive that her receptions were crowded with people of distinction, and the table was never presided over so charmingly as when she was at the head of it.’

Born in Dublin where she first appeared on stage at the age of twelve as Polly Peachum in John Gay‘s The Beggar’s Opera, Peg Woffington was buried at St Mary’s Church in Teddington, Middlesex. Garrick was laid to rest in Westminster Abbey.

Originally published on 26 October 2003 © Sarah Vernon