Edmund John Eyre

{{Infobox person

| name = Edmund John Eyre

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| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1816|04|11|1767|05|20}}

| death_place = Scotland

| nationality = British

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| occupation = Actor and dramatist

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Edmund John Eyre (1767–1816) was an English actor and dramatist.

Early life

Eyre, son of Mary (née Underwood) (c1740-c1796) and the Rev. Ambrose Eyre (c1740 - c1796), rector of Leverington and Outwell, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, was born 20 May 1767. He had two brothers and four sisters.{{cite news|title= Yesterday se'night|newspaper= Norfolk Chronicle|date= 12 May 1792|page= 2}} He entered Merchant Taylors' School when ten years old. In 1785 he was appointed exhibitioner — first on Parkin's and afterwards on Stuart's foundation — at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, but left the university without graduating to join a theatrical company.{{Acad|name=Edmund John Eyre|id=ER785EJ|access-date=8 May 2022}}

Career

Eyre's Farce The Dreamer Awake; or, Pugilist Matched was performed at Covent Garden in 1791. The dedication inside the book includes a reference to Eyre, of Shrewsbury, Worcester and Wolverhampton theatres, having spent a short period on the island of Jamaica.{{cite news|title= This Day is published|newspaper= Bury and Norwich Post|date= 23 November 1791|page= 3}}

It appears that Eyre underwent a marriage ceremony with an Elizabeth Bolton, widow on 14 May 1793 at St.Martins, Birmingham witnessed by Joseph Neale & Sam'l Brooke.{{cite news|title= Bath August 12 1804|newspaper= York Herald|date= 25 August 1804|page= 1}}

Eyre's tragedy of The Maid of Normandy; or, The Death of the Queen of France was performed in the Theatre Royal, Dublin in May 1794.{{cite news|title= Dublin|newspaper= Dublin Evening Post|page= 3}}

Eyre and his wife were at the Theatre, Leominster in February 1794 appearing in Democratic Outrage: or, Louis the Unfortunate, Eyre as Cleri and his wife as Dauphin.{{cite news|title= Theatre, Leominster|newspaper= Hereford Journal|date= 19 February 1794|page= 3}}

In 1796 Eyre as Antonio and his wife as Nerissa, were at Gloucester Theatre in The Merchant of Venice.{{cite news|title= Theatre - Glocester |newspaper= Gloucester Journal|date= 22 August 1796|page= 3}}

Eyre's Dramatic Romance The Fatal Sister; or, The Castle of the Forest was published in 1797. His address is given as 9 St. James's Street.{{cite news|title= Mr Eyre|newspaper= Bath Chronicle|date= 16 February 1797|page= 1}}

A Benefit for Eyre, the Musical Drama Zorinski was staged at the Theatre Royal Bath on 20 March 1800. He also gave a new Occasional Address to be spoken in the character of a Bath Volunteer.{{cite news|title= Theatre Royal, Bath|newspaper= Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette|date= 20 March 1800|page= 3}}

Eyre's The Caffrees; or, Buried Alive was staged at Covent Garden in June, 1802.{{cite news|title= By Desire - For the Benefit of Mr Hill|newspaper= Morning Herald|page= 1}}

His publication in February 1804 of 'Observations made at Paris during the peace' is evidence of him spending some time in France.{{cite news|title= Just Published|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 16 February 1804|page= 2}}

In 1804 he was reported to have married again, at St. Mary's, Stratford-le-Bow, to Miss Harriet Smith, actress of Bath & Bristol, and sister to Miss S Smith of the York Theatre.{{cite news|title= Marriages|newspaper= York Herald|date= 21 July 1804|page= 3}}

This promptly triggered the publication, by his first wife Elizabeth, of details of their marriage Certificate including the names of the witnesses - Joseph Neale & Sam'l Brooke.{{cite news|title= Bath August 12 1804|newspaper= York Herald|date= 25 August 1804|page= 1}} In a review of 'The West Indian' at the Edinburgh Theatre Royal Eyre, as Stockwell, is described as 'of Bath', and Dwyer of Drury-Lane played Belcour in the December.{{cite news|title= Theatre|newspaper= Caledonian Mercury|date= 6 December 1804|page= 3}}

In George Barnwell in January 1805, Eyre appeared as Thorowgood; Mrs Turpin Maria; Mrs Wrench Millwood and Mr Dwyer the hero.{{cite news|title= Edinburgh|newspaper= Caledonian Mercury |date= 14 January 1895|page= 3}} Early February in The Deuce is in Him Eyre was Colonel Tamper and Mrs Eyre was Emily, in To Marry or not to Marry Eyre was Mr Levensforth, Mrs Eyre was Susan in The Follies of a Day.{{cite news|title= Theatre-Royal|newspaper= Caledonian Mercury |date= 8 April 1805|page= 1}}

Eyre acted the part of Lord Avondale in the comedy The School of Reform; or, How to rule a Husband on 23 February 1805 at the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh.{{cite news|title= Theatre Royal|newspaper= Caledonian Mercury|date= 21 February 1805|page= 1}}>= In March he had the roles of Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing and Baron Steinfort in The Stranger.{{cite news|title= Theatre-Royal|newspaper= Caledonian Mercury|date= 9 March 1805|page= 3}} In the April at the Theatre Royal's production of Every One Has His Fault, Eyre was Solus with Mrs Young as Lady Eleanor Irwin,{{cite news|title= Mr Ireland's Night|newspaper= Caledonian Mercury|date= 1 April 1895|page= 3}} later in the month at the New Theatre, Glasgow opening of the comedy The Honey Moon Eyre spoke an address to a full house and was received with much applause.{{cite news|title= The New Theatre|newspaper= Caledonian Mercury|date= 27 April 1895|page= 4}} In the December Eyre was in Edinburgh appearing as Peter the Cruel in Henry of Transtamare, the part of Henry being written for the 'Young Roscius', the play was put on in place of Douglas, the Lord Chamberlain's licence not arriving until the very morning!{{cite news|title= Edinburgh Theatricals|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 4 December 1805|page= 3}} In July the following year, his first appearance of the season was in the tragedy Venice Preserved as Pierre, Miss Smith (of Covent-Garden) as Belvidera, was making her fourth appearance. On Saturday she was down for Violante in The Wonder!.{{cite news|title= Theatre-Royal|newspaper= Caledonian Mercury|date= 24 July 1806|page= 3}}

After having had considerable provincial experience as a comedian, he made his first appearance at Drury Lane Theatre in October, 1806 in the character of Jaques in As You Like It.{{cite news|title= Drury-Lane|newspaper= Morning Advertiser|date= 7 October 1806|page= 2}} Later that month he played Captain Dudley in The West Indian.{{cite news|title= The Theatres|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 23 October 1806|page= 3}} In December he played Barnwell in George Barnwell.{{cite news|title= Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane|newspaper= Sun (London)|date= 26 December 1806|page= 1}} In April 1807 The Curfew he was Philip.{{cite news|title= Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane|newspaper= Sun (London)|date= 23 April 1807|page= 1}} In June he played Las Casas in Pizarro, Cora was played by Mrs Siddons.{{cite news|title= Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane|newspaper= Sun (London)|date= 2 June 1807|page= }} He played Stockwell in The West Indian for the first time in September 1807.{{cite news|title= Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane|newspaper= Morning Herald|date= 19 September 1807|page= 2}} He read the prologue in Time's A Tell-Tale by William Siddons in the October.{{cite news|title= The Morning Post|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 30 October 1807|page= 2}}

In January 1808 his wife appeared for the first time at Drury-Lane, in the play The Castle Spectre as Angela, she is described as "possessing a good figure and a very pleasing voice", whilst her sister, Miss Smith, appeared, with Kemble, in The Mountaineers at Covent-Garden.{{cite news|title= Drury-Lane|newspaper= Morning Herald (London)|date= 19 January 1808|page= 3}}

In October 1808 Eyre was Mr Milford in The Three and The Deuce.{{cite news|title= Theare Royal, Drury-Lane|newspaper= Sun (London)|date= 20 October 1808|page= 1}} Early December Eyre is very impressive as 'Lodovico' with Mrs Siddons as 'Josepha' in MG Lewis's Venoni: or, The Novice of St Mark's

In the comedy Love for Love he was Scandal in December.{{cite news|title= Theatre-Royal, Drury-Lane|newspaper= Oracle and the Daily Advertiser|date= 22 December 1808|page= 1}}

In January 1809 he was Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet.{{cite news|title= Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane|newspaper= Globe|date= 2 January 1809|page= 1}} February saw him in Cato, a Tragedy by Joseph Addison alongside Mr and Mrs Siddons.{{cite news|title= Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 3 February 1809|page= 4}} In April 1809 the company performed for one night at The Lyceum Theatre, Strand, Eyre read the prologue for Grieving's a Folly.{{cite news|title= Acted but once|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 22 April 1809|page= 2}}

In May 1809 Mr and Mrs Eyre joined the Haymarket company.{{cite news|title= Theatre|newspaper= Globe|date= 15 May 1809|page= 3}} In early July Eyre was Senior Malfort and his wife played Mrs Malfort in The Soldier's Daughterat the Theatre Royal Haymarket,{{cite news|title= Theatre-Royal, Haymarket|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 5 July 1809|page= 3}} later that month they were in The Foundling of the Forest.{{cite news|title= Theatre Royal, Haymarket|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 15 July 1809|page= 2}} In 1809 the company was at the Lyceum Theatre performing the comedy Much Ado About Nothing, Eyre was in the role of Don John.{{cite news|title= Lyceum Theatre|newspaper= The Day|date= 17 November 1809|page= 2}} In the December he was reading the prologue of the comedy Sudden Arrivals: or, Too Busy by Half.{{cite news|title= Lyceum Theatre|newspaper= Morning Chronicle|date= 20 December 1809|page= 3}}

In January 1810 in the tragedy of Adelgitha he was Guiscard.{{cite news|title= Lyceum|newspaper= Morning Advertiser|date= 9 January 1810|page= 3}} Later that month he was in the cast of The Mountaineers as Bulcazin Muley.{{cite news|title= Lyceum Theatre|newspaper= Morning Advertiser|date= 16 January 1810|page= 2}} In February's new play of Riches: or, The Wife and Brother he spoke the prologue.{{cite news|title= Acted but Once|newspaper= Morning Advertiser|date= 5 February 1810|page= 2}}

Eyre's High Life in the City was performed at the Haymarket on 25 July, it was reported that after the third act it "was frequently interrupted by bursts of disapprobation".{{cite news|title= Haymarket Theatre|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 26 July 1810| page= 3}} In the dedication inside the book, his address is given as 31 Hampden Street, Somers' town.

Eyre's The Lady of the Lake, a Melo-Dramatic Romance in three parts was reported as being performed at the Theatre-Royal, Edinburgh in February, 1811. He is described as being of the Drury-Lane and Haymarket companies of Comedians.{{cite news|title= This Day is published|newspaper= Bristol Mirror|date= 23 February 1811|page= 3}} The following month he speaks the prologue of Ourselves, he is described as the regular Lyceum prologue speaker and very effective.{{cite news|title= Lyceum|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 4 March 1811|page= 3}}

A newspaper report of 27 December 1813 lists him as one of the debtors in the King's Bench Prison, Surrey.{{blockquote|EDMUND JOHN EYRE, formerly of No.62, Newman-street, Oxford-road, and late of No.7, Kingsland-Row, Kingsland, both in the county of Middlesex, Actor and Dramarist}}{{cite news|title= NOTICE TO CREDITORS|newspaper= Statesman (London)|date= 27 December 1813|page= 3}}

Eyre's Operatic Melo-Drama The Savage Chieftain: or, Buried Alive was put on at the Surrey Theatre on 9 May 1814.{{cite news|title= Entire New Piece|newspaper= Morning Chronicle|date= 9 May 1814|page= 3}}

In July 1814 at the Haymarket he was Peregrine in John Bull.{{cite news|title= Theatre Royal, Haymarket|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 4 July 1814|page= 2}}

Eyre's The Lady of the Lake, a Melo-Dramatic Romance in three parts was reported as being performed at the Theatre-Royal, Edinburgh in December, 1814.{{cite news|title= New and Popular Plays|newspaper= London Courier and Evening Gazette|date= 28 December 1814|page= 1}}

He is said to have been a 'respectable rather than a great actor', but the former epithet is inapplicable to his domestic life. He died 11 April 1816, leaving a pregnant widow and a large family of doubtful legitimacy.

Mrs Siddons gave a free benefit to his family.{{cite news|title= Theatre|newspaper= Caledonian Mercury|date= 25 April 1816|page= 3}}

Another baby, a daughter, arrived in the December, leaving his widow with eight surviving children.{{cite news|title= Births|newspaper= Sun (London)|date= 31 December 1816|page= 4}}

His widow's mother, Henrietta Smith, died in 1822.{{cite news|title= Deaths|newspaper= The Scots Magazine|date= 1 February 1823|page= 131}}

Writings

He was the author of two poems, 'A Friend to Old England,’ 4to, 1793, and 'The Two Bills' (a political piece), 4to, 1796, and of some 'Observations made at Paris during the Peace,’ 8vo, 1803,{{cite news|title= Just Published|newspaper= Morning Post|date= 16 February 1804|page= 2}} but his reputation rests upon his dramatic pieces, some of which are not without merit.

Included among them are the following: