Entry Type | Person |
Surname | Arkwright, nee Kemble |
Forenames | Frances Crawford |
Place | Sutton Scarsdale |
Epithet | actress; wife of Captain Robert Arkwright |
Dates | 1786-1849 |
Gender Identity | Female |
Biography | Frances made her debut at London’s Prince of Wales theatre aged 4, she toured the Northern provinces until her controversial marriage in 1805 at Hull to Captain Robert Arkwright (1780-1859), grandson of Sir Richard Arkwright (1732-1792), part of the new industrial aristocracy. Despite initial family opposition Frances settled into her new life and became renowned as a hostess and ballad writer putting music to poetry by Lord Byron and Sir Walter Scott. She is buried in Sutton Scarsdale church having spent much of her married life residing at Sutton Scarsdale Hall. |
Key Events | 1786: Born c1790: Acting debut 1805: Married Captain Robert Arkwright 1849: Died |
Family Tree | Daughter of Stephen George Kemble, theatre manager and Elizabeth, nee Satchell, also an actress. She also had an aunt who was an actress, Sarah Siddons.
Mother of George, William, Revd Godfrey Harry (1814-1866), Eustace and Fanny Elizabeth. |
Source | - 'London Stage 1660-1800. Part V 1776-1800' (1958), p. 634, p. 1286. |
Authorised Form of Name | Arkwright, nee Kemble; Frances Crawford (1786-1849); actress; wife of Captain Robert Arkwright |
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