Anderson, James Robertson

1811

1895

Born in Glasgow on 8 May 1811, Anderson spent the early years of his acting career in provincial theatres and then appeared at Covent Garden on 30 September 1837 as Florizel in “The Winter’s Tale”. He then was active as a London actor and Drury Lane manager for some 47 years and also toured America and Australia. He had a fine voice and figure. Among his last roles was Tybalt in “Romeo and Juliet” at the Lyceum on 1 November 1884. In 1843 Anderson became a member of the Garrick Club, where he was frequently to be seen. After leaving the Club late one night on his way to his lodgings in the Bedford Hotel he was garroted and robbed. He never fully recovered from his injuries and died at the Bedford Hotel on 3 March 1895; he was buried at Kensal Green. In addition to his placement in O’Neil’s Billiard Room group, engraved portraits of him as Macbeth and other characters are listed in the “Harvard Catalogue of Dramatic Portraits”. (DNB)