MACREADY, WILLIAM CtrAntlis (1793-1873). A noted English tragedian. He was born in London, March 3, 1793, the son of a provincial theatrical manager, and was edu cated at. Rugby. He first played as Romeo at Birmingham in 1810. For four years he took leading parts in his father's company, and two years later, in September. 1816, made his first appearance before a London audience as Orestes in The Distressed Mother. winning the applause of Kean. Macready's progress in the higher walks of the drama was slow, however, largely on account of professional jealousies. In 1819 he made a hit in the character of Richard III., and afterwards adventured on others of Shakespeare's characters with success. In 1826 he made a tour of the United States, and vis ited Paris in 1828. He became lessee of Co vent Garden Theatre in 1837, and his manage ment, though brief, was distinguished by the high character of his company and his productions. Later he managed Drury Lane for a time, but without pecuniary success. He visited America a second time in 1843-44; and again in 1843-49, when he barely escaped with his life from a riot which took place in the Astor Place Opera House at New York (May 10. 1849), as a result of the
jealousy of the American actor Edwin Forrest. On his return home Macready was engaged at the Haymarket, but his theatrical career was brought to a conclusion with his farewell benefit at Drury Lane, on February 26, 1851. He died at Cheltenham on April 27, 1873. Maeready was a fine and impressive player, and a conscientious student of his art. lle succeeded best in the graver characters of the drama, hav ing more of the stateliness of Kemble than of the lire of Kean. Consult his Reminiscences, and Selections from His Diaries and Letters, edited by Pollock (London and New York, 1875) : Lady Pollock, Macready as I Him (London, 1884 ) ; Archer, William Charles Jlacready (Lon don, 1890) : Baker, English Actors from Shake speare to Macready (New York, 1879) ; Lewes, On .:lrlors and the Art of Actilw (ib., 1878); Marston, Our Recent Actors (London, 1890).