Brooke, Gustavus Vaughan, 1818-1866

English actor.

From the description of Autograph note signed, dated : Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 5 September 1853, to an unidentified recient, 1853 Sept. 5. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270673810

From the description of Autograph letter signed, dated : [n.p., London?], 21 October 1853, to E[dward] T[yrrell] Smith, 1853 Oct. 21. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270673806

An actor, he was born at Dublin on 25 April 1818 and after meeting George Coppin in 1854, agreed to go to Australia. He left at the end of November and arrived at Melbourne on 22 February 1855. He stayed in Australia for more than six years and apparently he did his best work there. The critics were unanimous in placing him as one of the great actors of all time, although occasional failures were admitted. After returning to England, he eventually lost everything and began drinking again. His second wife and George Coppin arranged a 2 year contract in Australia and he left on January 1st, 1866 on the S.S. London which sank in a storm ten days later. As the only surviving boat pulled away he apparently called "Give my last farewell to the people of Melbourne".

From the description of Account book [manuscript]. 1853-1854. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 224881956