Jane Pope

Jane Pope (1744 – 30 July 1818) was an English actress, daughter of a London theatrical wig-maker. (There has been confusion over her date of birth with different authorities giving 1742 and 1744, but in a letter from Jane Pope of 1808 she states her age as 64.) She began playing in a Lilliputian company for Garrick in 1756. From this she speedily developed into soubrette roles. She was Mrs Candour in The School for Scandal at its first presentation (1777), and thereafter she had many important parts given to her. She was the lifelong friend of Mrs Clive, and erected the monument at Twickenham to the latter's memory. She retired from the professional stage at a special performance at Drury Lane on 26 May 1808. She was an admirable actress and was praised by all the literary critics of her day unused to such a combination.