Book Review: Garrick and His Circle

• Title: Garrick and His Circle
• Author: Mrs. Clement Parsons (Florence Mary Wilson Parsons 1864-1934)
• Published: New York: Benjamin Blom, 1969 (first published 1906); Hardcover 417-pages.

David Garrick (1717-1779) was an actor, producer, dramatist, and poet. He was nicknamed affectionally as Little Davy because of his short stature and was referred to as Roscius, the famous ancient Roman actor.  He was raised in Lichfield, England and was a pupil of Dr. Samuel Johnson.  He had a short stint as a wine merchant before becoming an actor.  He became manager of the famous London theatre Drury Lane.  Noted for his support of Shakespeare and playing such roles as Richard III. He left an estate valued at £100,000, which in today’s money would be equivalent to £14,600,000.  Garrick is buried at  Westminster Abbey in the Poet’s Corner.

My first encounter with Garrick (1717-1779) was many years ago when I read The Life of Johnson by Boswell.  Garrick was one of the members of The Club, later called The Literary Club. Whenever I run across a reference to one of these individuals I am intrigued to learn more.  So, when I saw this book I had to read it.

This book is not a biography per se.  The author admits it is rather an attempt to present “a series of vignettes” designed to “illustrate Garrick’s character or career.” She adds that “whatever interested myself most I have ventured to give the most space.”  The book was first published in 1906, but there must have been interest in the book as it was reprinted in 1969.  It was hard to find information about Mrs. Parsons.  She wrote a book before this one titled The Child at Home published by James Nisbet, London (1901) and after this book on Garrick, she did The Incomparable Siddons published by Methuen Publishing, London (1909), which states “By the author of Garrick and His Circle” on the title page.  The Siddons referred to is Sarah Siddons, the late 18^th century actress after whom the Sarah Siddons Award is named. But any other information about Mrs. Parsons has been elusive so far.

Parson presents Garrick from different angles.  There are many quotations from letters that were written to and by Garrick.  He was evidently a very prolific correspondent.  The book gives a look at not only the great actor, but the times and people.  Notable people and events are Dr. Samuel Johnson, James Boswell, Sir Joshua Reynolds, Edmund Burke, Oliver Goldsmith, Hannah More, Samuel Foote, Diderot, the Licensing Act of 1737, Drury Lane, the complaint of the Methodists, his trips to the continent, and his devoted wife.  The book contains thirty-six illustrations, a list of sources referenced, and a helpful timeline of historical events in relation to his life.

I enjoyed reading this book.  I would recommend it to someone who was already familiar with the time period and some of the major characters.  I do not recommend it as a starting point to learn about Garrick or his circle, however, it is an excellent addendum to someone who has already started to learn about this period.  David Garrick was a good example of a man of good character in how he was able to rise up and be accepted by all classes of people.  He did not fall prey to the glamour of fame and fortune to become a shallow person, but rather used the talents he was given to help his fellow man and made the world a better place.  I think that we can learn from the past by observing the causes and effects of certain events and people to help us understand our present situation and to guide us to make prudent decisions for the future.