HARLEY, John (1786-1858)

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0074 O/054
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full title	: HARLEY, John (1786-1858)
Date(s)	: 1858
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 0.01 linear metres.
Name of creator(s)	: Harley | John Pritt | 1786-1858 | actor

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

John Pritt Harley was born in 1786, son of a London draper and silk mercer. He was apprenticed to a linen draper but began to appear in amateur theatricals. By 1806 the acting was taking precedence over other employment, and he became known as "Fat Jack" - he was very thin - and was famed for his comic singing. His first London appearance was in 1815 at the English Opera House. He had a countertenor voice and played the comic hero in many operas. He remained at Dury Lane until 1835, when he went to the St James's Theatre; but by 1838 he had returned to the Drury Lane company. In 1850 he joined Charles Kean at the Princess's Theatre. In August 1858 he was seized with paralysis on coming off stage, and died died at home two days later. He was buried at Kensal Green cemetery.

Information from: G. C. Boase, ' Harley, John Pritt (1786-1858)', rev. Katharine Cockin, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Diary of actor John Pritt Harley, 1858.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

One volume.

Conditions governing access:

Available for general access.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright to this collection rests with the depositor.

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Record deposited in May 1961.

Allied Materials

Related material:

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
Records prepared May to September 2011.