Jane Lessingham
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Jane Lessingham née Hemet (1738 or 1739 –- 13 March 1783) (married name Jane Stott) was a stage actress from 1756 to 1782.[1] Lessingham predominately performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, where she was known for both her beauty and her skill as a comedy actress.[2]
Jane Lessingham | |
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Born | Jane Hemet, 1738 or 1739 |
Died | 13 March 1783 |
Burial place | Hampstead Churchyard, London, United Kingdom |
Occupation | Stage Actress |
Years active | 1756- 1782 |
Spouse | John Stott (m. 1753- div. 1765) |
Partner | Samuel Derrick (1765)
Thomas Harris (1767? -1771) Admiral Boscawen Sir William Addington (1775) ... |
Children | 5, Amelia Stott, Thomas Charlton Harris, Charles Harris (b. 1 June 1769), Edwin Harris (b. 2 February 1771) and William Frederick |
Lessingham first came to the stage during 1756, when she played Desdemona in a production of Othello at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. It was not until March, 1762 that she began to use the stage name ‘Lessingham’, when she took the part of Silvia in George Farquhar's play The Recruiting Officer. During 1768, Lessingham was involved in a public controversy between theatre managers Thomas Harris and George Colman. Colman, and other contemporary sources, cited Lessingham's ambitions as one of the major sources of the conflict.[3]
On 13 March 1783 Lessingham died. She was buried in Hampstead Churchyard and left her estate in trust to Harris for the care of their four sons.