Life
1693-1766; b. Dublin, illegitimate son of a barrister; appeared Smock
Alley in 1714; became a leading actor in London; preferred by Walpole
as an actor to Garrick. DNB BREF
Notes
Dictionary of National Biography; took to the stage in Dublin,
and appeared Drudy Lane in 1714 or 1715; came of note as Bajazet in Tamberlaine,
1716; acted at Lincoln’s Inn fields, taking lead part in tragedy,
1717-32; subsequently at Drury lane; reappeared at Covent Garden, 1742-1751;
rival of Garrick at Covent Gdn., 1746-47; lived after retirement (1756)
in friendship with Garrick; Walpole admired him the more of the two, but
Davies judged him unfitted for vigorous parts in tragedy.
The Life of Mr James Quin, Comedian (1887), port. [Hyland 219; 1995]
There is an mezzotint portrait of Quin as Falstaff by J. McArdell (reproduced
in Brian de Breffny, Ireland: A Cultural Encyclopaedia (London:
Thames & Hudson 1983) p.201).
Edith Sitwell, in Bath (Faber & Faber 1931), Chap. XIII, records that James Quin d. at Pierrepont St., and bequeathed £50 to Thos. Gainsborough and £100 to Mary Simpson, landlady at Centre House, Pierrepont St.
[ top ]
Princess Grace Irish Library (Monaco)