William Robert Grossmith, also known as Master Grossmith (1818–1899), was a 19th-century child actor, the eldest son of William Grossmith, who then established a second career as a maker of prosthetic limbs.
William Robert Grossmith | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1818 Reading, England |
| Died | 1899 (aged 80–81) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor and prosthetic Limb manufacturer |
Career
editGrossmith was known as the 'Infant Roscius' or 'Young Roscius' as he began acting at a very young age. In 1825 a pamphlet was published publicising this prodigy child actor with the title The Life of the Celebrated Infant Roscius, Master Grossmith of Reading, Berks, only seven years and a quarter Old.[1] Another, retitled to not yet nine years of age, was published in 1827.[2][3]
He also made appearances with a younger sibling, Master Benjamin Grossmith.[4] After retiring from the stage William made a second career out of prosthetic limb manufacture.[5] Their new entertainment for 1836, in three parts, was written expressly for them by George Dibdin Pitt, and performed in King's Lynn, Wisbech and other provincial theatres.[6]
In fact, so well-respected were William Grossmith' products that in 1856 he published a book on the subject: Amputations and Artificial Limbs (or Grossmith on Amputations, Artificial Legs, Hands &c.)[7][8]
Legacy
edit
A painting of Grossmith as Richard in William Shakespeare's Richard III by G. Hancock is in the Victoria and Albert Museum.[9] A print of Grossmith as a child is in the British Museum collection.[10]
Artificial limbs made by Grossmith in his later career are held in the Science Museum.[11]
References
edit- ^ E. C. B (1825). The Life of the Celebrated Infant Roscius Master Grossmith of Reading, Berks, Only Seven Years and a Quarter Old. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ The Life and Theatrical Excursions of William Robert Grossmith the juvenile actor, not yet 9 years of age. M Cowslade & Co. 1827.
- ^ "Child prodigy actor prepares to retire as he headlines in Stockton". BBC. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ "Master Grossmith". britishmuseum.org. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
- ^ "Artificial Limb". Science Museum. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "Masters Grossmith". Bury and Norwich Post. 9 December 1835. p. 3.
- ^ "A London Family". A London Family. April 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ Grossmith, William Robert (1857). Amputations and Artificial Limbs. London. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "William Robert Goldsmith". Artuk. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "William Grossmith". British Museum. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- ^ "Master Grossmith". Science Museum Group. Retrieved 21 December 2019.