Betty, Henry

1819

1897

Henry Thomas Betty was born in London on 29 September 1819, the son of the famous child prodigy William Henry West (1791–1874). He studied theology before becoming an actor assisted by his father and made his first stage appearance at the Hereford theatre on 28 August 1838, playing Achmet (his father's first London role) in Barbarossa. He played in various provincial companies until making his début at Covent Garden on 28 December 1844. Other London theatres at which he performed were the Pavilion, Queen's, and Olympic, where in 1854 he made his farewell to the stage. To some extent Betty relied on his father's name, but was by all accounts a capable actor "of the Old-world 'legitimate' type" Illustrated London News (27 February 1897). During his retirement he served as president of the Dramatic and Musical Benevolent Fund. Betty died at The Betony, Thurlow Park Road, West Dulwich, on 7 February 1897 and was buried at Highgate cemetery. He left £5000 to the General Theatrical Fund and a further sum of the same amount on the death of his widow. The bequest was known as Betty's Fund for Poor Actors and Actresses.