David Garrick Feb 19th 1717-1779
David was baptised in nearby All Saints church, recorded for all to see it its register.
When at school in Lichfield, someone who organised private theatricals at the bishop's palace recommended that "Little Davy" should attend Samuel Johnson's (famous for compiling the first English dictionary) academy.
At the age of 20 David and Samuel took the road for London, with less than sixpence between them.
Starting first of all law studies at Lincoln's Inn, then wine selling at Durham Yard, Strand, which brought him into contact with places and people of entertainment, David saw his first comedy "Lethe or Esop in the Shades" produced at Drury Lane Theatre.
March 1741 saw his anonymous stage debut at a small theatre in Goodman's fields, as Harlequin in mask and tights.
Later that October he made his official debut as Richard III, and soon found himself pulling in the crowds. It was only then that he told his family that he was an actor because in those days that profession was looked down on.
After much Shakespearean acting such as Hamlet, Romeo, King Lear, Macbeth, and and Othello with a blacked-up face, David became the joint manager of Drury Lane Theatre in 1747, later to be its sole manager.
Two years later he married at St Giles-in-the-Fields Austrian Eva Veigel who spoke little English whom he had seen dancing at the Haymarket Opera House.
Twice it wasn't just the actors who provided the drama when in 1755 and 1762 the audiences rioted. Firstly over the appearance of French dancers was war with France was imminent, then when cheap tickets were scrapped.
In spite of taking the main roles in tragedies, David was at his best in comedies such as Abel Drugger in Jonson's the Alchemist and as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing.
In fact as a dramatist his forte was also comedy, for example in his "Miss in Her Teens", "Medley of Lovers", and "Bon Ton".
As well as fame he found fortuen, and became the owner of a lovely house beside the Thames at Hampton Court.
Regarded by many as being fiery-tempered, vain, and snobby, he made enemies as well as friends. Samuel Foote, the dramatist with a cutting wit, took the micky out of Garrick in his productions.
Mourned by many at his death, his friend Dr Johnson said "I am disappointed by that stroke of death which has eclipsed the gaiety of nations and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure".
Garrick's tomb may be visited in Westminster Abbey.