10 Facts About Corney Grain

Richard Corney Grain, known by his stage name Corney Grain, was an entertainer and songwriter of the late Victorian era.

Corney Grain received what he referred to as "an average middle-class education".

Corney Grain remained with the German Reeds until the end of his life and, after the death of another German Reed stalwart, John Orlando Parry, Corney Grain became the company's principal comedian and sketch artist.

Corney Grain moved with the company to St George's Hall, toured with it in the provinces, and in 1877, after the retirement of Priscilla German Reed, became the partner of the German Reeds' son, Alfred German Reed, who shared the management of the company with his mother from 1871.

Over twenty-five years, Corney Grain wrote between fifty and sixty entertainments for the company, consisting of social sketches and songs with piano accompaniment.

Corney Grain's songs included "The Masher King of Piccadilly" and "The Four-Horse Sharrybang".

Corney Grain was a large man with exceptionally large and expressive hands.

Corney Grain played in Gilbert's Our Island Home, Ages Ago and Eyes and No Eyes.

Corney Grain was a great friend and rival of Gilbert and Sullivan performer and fellow sketch-artist, George Grossmith.

Corney Grain died of "epidemic influenza" on 16 March 1895, at his home in Marylebone, London.