13 Facts About Charlotte Melmoth

Charlotte Melmoth first came to the attention of the British public in the late 18th century, as "Mrs Courtney Melmoth" part of an acting duo with her common-law husband, clergyman-turned actor Samuel Jackson Pratt.

The venture was not successful and the theatre failed within three months, whereupon the couple moved to London, where Charlotte Melmoth began to achieve success as an actress, both at Covent Garden and Drury Lane.

The incident inspired Charlotte Melmoth to write a poem, "Impromptu, To Doctor Franklin For the Author who was present when he gave his Portrait to a Lady", which Pratt sent to Franklin.

Franklin replied, apologising for not realising that Charlotte Melmoth wanted a copy of the portrait.

In late 1779, after a season in Birmingham, Charlotte Melmoth's success seems to have faded for a while, and the couple travelled Britain seeking work, occasionally telling fortunes for a living.

Charlotte Melmoth toured the major cities of Ireland, playing in Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Derry and Belfast, eventually settling in Dublin.

Charlotte Melmoth played Smock Alley from 1782 to 1783, was the 'prima donna' of Leoni's Capel Street Opera House from 1783 to 1784, Owensons Fishamble Street Theatre from 1784 to 1785, returned to Smock Alley from 1785 to 1788, finally ending her Irish stage career at the Crow Street Theatre from 1788 to 1789.

Unfortunately, Charlotte Melmoth, still playing youthful parts in her late-40s, was no longer in the prime of life, and her figure had grown bulky: "far beyond the sphere of embonpoint" as Dunlap commented.

Charlotte Melmoth stayed with the Park Theatre until 1805, when she moved to the Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia.

The fracture failed to heal properly and Charlotte Melmoth reluctantly had to give up her acting career.

Charlotte Melmoth's pupils included children from some of the wealthiest and best-known Brooklyn families, including the Cornell, Pierpoint, Cutting, Jackson, and Luquer families.

Charlotte Melmoth died, aged 74, on 28 September 1823 and was buried in the Catholic graveyard surrounding the original St Patrick's Cathedral on Mott and Prince streets in Manhattan.

Charlotte Melmoth was much esteemed for her excellent private character.