Collection of autograph letters signed : England, to William Elliston, 1793-1804.

A collection of 23 autograph letters signed, to William Elliston; written between 1793 and 1804 from Bath, London, and other locations in England; discussing R. W. Elliston's youthful indiscretions, his early successes in provincial theaters, his marriage to the dancing instructor Elizabeth Rundall and the birth of their first children; his parents' separation and Elliston's care for his parents as they grew older; the eventual death of his father and his uncle Captain Elliston; the development of his theatrical career, from his performances in London during the summer months to his official move to Drury Lane in the fall of 1804; his interactions with other actors, playwrights and managers, especially George Colman the younger; his performances in plays, among them The Mountaineers, The Iron Chest, The Jew and Romeo and Juliet, at theaters including the Haymarket and Covent Garden; detailed financial information about his takings from various benefits and his investments in stocks; and his first forays into theater management, in particular with the Royal Circus. Items in the collection have been described individually in separate catalog records; see related records for more information.