William Shaftoe Robertson
William Shaftoe Robertson (c. 1799–1872) was a British actor and theater manager. He was the nephew of Fanny Robertson, a leading actress and manager on the Lincolnshire Circuit stage, and Thomas Shaftoe Robertson. He was the father of several theater actors.
William Shaftoe Robertson | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1799 |
| Died | c1872 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | actor and manager |
| Known for | The Robertson theatre company |
| Spouse(s) | Margharetta Elisabetta Marinus (m. 1828) |
| Children | Thomas William Robertson, James Robertson, John Shaftoe Robertson, Fanny Maria Hunter, Elizabeth Roberson, Louise Emily Robertson, William Byron Robertson, Henry Aston Robertson, Dame Madge Kendal, Edward Shaftoe Robertson, Georgiana Robertson, Ellen Robertson and James Robertson, Frederick a Craven Robertson and Margaret Shaftoe Robertson. |
Career
His first appearance at the Georgian theatre (now the Angles Theatre), Wisbech was as Rover in O'Keefe's comedy Wild Oats opposite Mrs T. Robertson as Lady Amaranthe on 4th June, 1824.[1]. In 1828 he married the Danish-born actress Miss Margharetta Elisabetta Marinus (died 1876). They had twenty-two children many of whom appeared in juvenile roles on the stage. Some including Tom Robertson, Dame Madge Kendal nee Robertson, (1848-1935), Edward Shaftoe Robertson (1844-1871), James Robertson, Georgiana Robertson and Craven Robertson (died 1879)[2] [3] carried on the profession into adulthood.[4]
When Fanny retired to live in Wisbech, Isle of Ely he succeeded her as manager of the Robertson company of actors.[5]
The 1871 census records in St.Pancras, Middlesex
William Robertson 72 born Stamford, Lincs.
Elizabeth Robertson 67 wife born Middlesex
Fanny M Hunter 39 daughter widowed actress, born Wisbech
Harriett Hunter 16 granddaughter actress born Wolverhampton
and Sarah Barton 23 servant born Colchester.
His last appearance on the stage was in Boston, Lincolnshire. [6] He died on Wednesday the 4th December, 1872 at his residence, Russell-square, London, at the advanced age of 73. [7]
References
- A handbill in the Wisbech & Fenland Museum collection
- "Craven Robertson". Stamford Mercury. 27 June 1879.
- "Intelligence". Stamford Mercury. 13 October 1871.
- "A theatrical company". Stamford Mercury. 27 May 1864.
- "History". www.anglestheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- "Theatricals". Stamford Mercury. 18 January 1867.
- "W Robertson". Stamford Mercury. 13 December 1872.
Further reading
- Neil R Wright (2016). Treading the Boards. Society for Lincolnshire History & Archaeology.