FARREN, ELIZABETH (c. 1759-1829), English actress, was the daughter of George Farren, an actor. Her early years were spent among the touring company to which her parents be longed, and her first regular engagement was at a Liverpool theatre in 1773. She came to London in 1777, where she first played at the Haymarket as Miss Hardcastle in Size Stoops to Conquer. There was talk of a marriage between her and Charles James Fox, but her appearance in a "breeches" part convinced him that she had no figure. A success in comedy parts from the start, she had at first to compete with Mrs. Abington, who was generally thought her superior. When Mrs. Abington left Drury Lane in 1782 Miss Farren was her natural successor. She was beloved by the Lord Derby of the time; after the death of his wife she left the stage and married him (i797). She died on April 23, 1829.
Attempting tragedy rarely and unsuccessfully, she was supreme in her representations of the fine ladies of comedy, Lady Teazle, Lady Betty Modish and, above all, Lady Townley, in which part she was thought to surpass even Mrs. Abington. Walpole thought her the most perfect actress he had ever seen.
See H. Simpson and C. Braun, A Century of Famous Actresses (London, 1913) .