Peg woffington biography definition
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Peg woffington biography definition
Peg Woffington
Irish actress and socialite (1720–1760)
For other uses, see Peg Woffington (disambiguation).
Peg Woffington | |
|---|---|
Margaret Woffington, by John Lewis, 1753 | |
| Born | 18 October 1720 |
| Died | 28 March 1760 (aged 39) |
Margaret Woffington (18 October 1720 – 28 March 1760),[1] was an Irishactress and socialite of the Georgian era.
Early life
Woffington was born of humble origins in Dublin, Ireland. Her father is thought to have been a bricklayer, and after his death, the family became impoverished. Her mother was obliged to take in washing while Peg sold watercress door to door.
Madame Violante, a famous tightrope walker took her on as her apprentice.[2] Her sister Mary Woffington was also an actress but she did not enjoy the same success.[3]
Acting career
Around 1730, Madame Violante featured the young Woffington in her Lilliputian Theatre Company's production of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera.
Her perfo