Irving, Henry Brodribb

1870

1919

The actor-manager and author H. B. Irving was born in London on 5 August 1870, the eldest son of the famous Sir Henry Irving and his wife Florence (the daughter of Surgeon-General Daniel James O’Callaghan). He was the brother of the actor Laurence Irving (1871-1914). He was educated at Marlborough College and at New College, Oxford, and was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1894. But he had already turned to his father’s profession, making his first appearance on the London stage at the Garrick Theatre on 19 September 1891 as Lord Beaufoy in “School”. After a hiatus from the stage until 1894, he re-appeared and continued to act until 1914. He also was lessee and manager of several West End theatres, including the Shaftesbury, the Queen’s and the Savoy. In 1911-12 he toured Australia and in 1912-13 South Africa. Irving appeared in a number of plays made famous by his father: “The Bells”, “Louis XI”, and “Charles I”. He created the title role in J. M. Barrie’s “The Admirable Crichton” on 4 November 1902, the role in which Buchel pictured him (G0328). His writings include “The Life of Judge Jeffreys” (1858), “French Criminals of the 19th Century” (1901) and “The Trial of Mrs Maybrick” (1913). Irving died in London on 17 October 1919. He had become a member of the Garrick Club in 1896 and was also a member of the Athenaeum, Beefsteak and Green Room clubs. (WWWT, WWW)