David Garrick

Born 19 February 1717 in Hereford, the second son of Peter and Arabella Garrick. Boyhood in Lichfield, where he and his brother George attended for a short while the “select academy” run by Samuel Johnson.

1737 Garrick and Johnson travelled to London – “We rode and tied” (one horse between them). Garrick became a wine merchant with his elder brother Peter.

1741 Garrick’s first appearance in public – under an assumed name, Lydall – in Ipswich. (Playbill, framed, on Main Landing).

1742-45 Visits to Ireland, and association with Peg Woffington.

1747 Became involved in the management of Drury Lane Theatre.

1749 Wedding to Eva Maria Violette, principal dancer at Drury Lane. Living in town at 27 Southampton Street.

1754 Bought villa at Hampton – for weekends and as a country retreat.

1763-65 Garrick and his wife toured Europe, particularly France and Italy. He contracted a “deathly” illness in Munich, probably typhoid fever, but recovered
sufficiently to enjoy much acclamation and a vast social round established in an apartment in Paris.

1769 Shakespeare Jubilee at Stratford-upon-Avon.

1772 New town house at Adelphi on the edge of the Thames.

1776 Retirement from the stage.

1779 Death of Garrick on 20 January.

1822 Death of his wife.