Irving, Henry, Sir, 1838-1905

Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) was a British actor-manager. Born Feb. 6, 1838, in Keinton Mandeville, Somerset, Eng., he died Oct. 13, 1905, in Bradford, Yorkshire. Irving's original name was John Henry Brodribb. He achieved early success and began to play leading roles throughout London, often with Ellen Terry. In 1878, he took over the Lyceum Theatre and hired Terry as the company's leading lady. This partnership lasted for 25 years and was reknowned throughout England and the United States. Bram Stoker, Henry Irving's manager and personal assistant, was responsible for most of the arrangements for the company's tours booked in the United States and Canada. Irving's interest in British nationalism led to a new production of King Arthur, which was an artistic and popular triumph in England and America. He was the first actor to be knighted in 1895, and is acknowledged as the inspiration for Stoker's famed literary character Count Dracula.