Jones, Richard

1779

1851

The actor and dramatist Richard Jones was born in Birmingham in 1779, the son of a builder and surveyor. Though originally intended for an architect, Jones turned to the stage, playing his earlier years in the northern towns. After a season at Birmingham he went to Manchester, and then to the Crow Street Theatre, Dublin, where he appeared in November 1799. He played most of the principal Irish towns and then came to London, where he made his debut at Covent Garden Theatre on 9 October 1807 as Goldfinch in “The Road to Ruin”. He was not favourably received, but he persisted against bad notices, eventually obtained a London engagement and made his debut at the Haymarket on 5 June 1809 as the Copper Captain in “Rule a Wife and Have a Wife”. Acting there in a number of other comedies in a wide range of roles, he developed into a popular comedian, as evidenced by his portraits by De Wilde. He was admirable as eccentric gentlemen – becoming known as ‘Gentleman Jones’ – and as heroes in madcap farces. It is said he was the best-dressed actor on the stage. He wrote several plays that were not successful: “The Green Man”, “Carnival” and “Hoaxing” among them. He left the stage in 1833 and gave elocution lessons. Jones died on 30 August 1851. He was one of the original members of the Garrick Club in 1831. (DNB)