# Edmund Kean

> English actor (1787–1833)

**Wikidata**: [Q704385](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q704385)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Kean)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edmund-kean

## Summary

Edmund Kean was an English stage actor who lived from 1787 to 1833, renowned for his performances in Shakespearean comedies and tragedies. He was employed at The Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, London, one of the most prestigious theatre venues in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland during his career. Kean is recognized as a significant figure in early 19th-century British theatre, performing during the reign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

## Biography

- **Born**: November 4, 1787, March 17, 1787, or 1789 (sources provide conflicting dates)
- **Died**: May 15, 1833
- **Nationality**: English (citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland)
- **Occupation**: Stage actor
- **Field(s)**: Performing arts, Theatre
- **Employer(s)**: The Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, London
- **Genre**: Shakespearean comedy and tragedy

## Contributions

Edmund Kean's primary contributions were in live theatre performance as a stage actor in early 19th-century London. He performed at The Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, which was established in 1663 and served as a premier West End theatre venue. As an actor during the existence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801-1922), Kean contributed to the theatrical culture of London during a significant period in British political and cultural history. His performances would have been part of the entertainment available to the approximately 45 million residents of the United Kingdom by 1921.

## FAQs

### What was Edmund Kean famous for?

Edmund Kean was famous for his work as a stage actor in London during the early 19th century, particularly known for performing Shakespearean comedies and tragedies at The Theatre Royal in Covent Garden.

### Where did Edmund Kean work?

Edmund Kean worked at The Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, London, England. This theatre, established in 1663, was one of the most prominent theatre venues in the United Kingdom during Kean's lifetime.

### What era did Edmund Kean live in?

Edmund Kean lived during the Georgian and early Victorian periods, specifically from 1787 to 1833. His lifetime coincided with the existence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, which was formed in 1801 and lasted until 1922.

### What type of actor was Edmund Kean?

Edmund Kean was a stage actor, which means he performed live before an in-person audience. This distinguished him from film or television actors, as all performances in his era were conducted in person on stage.

## Why They Matter

Edmund Kean matters as a representative of early 19th-century British theatre during a pivotal period in the nation's history. His career at The Theatre Royal, Covent Garden placed him at the heart of London's cultural scene during the Napoleonic Wars and their aftermath. The Theatre Royal itself, as one of London's oldest and most prestigious venues, served as a cultural institution that helped shape British theatrical traditions. Without actors like Kean performing Shakespearean works, the cultural legacy that defined British theatre would not have been preserved and transmitted to subsequent generations. His performances contributed to the entertainment and cultural life of London residents during a time when the United Kingdom was establishing itself as a major European power.

## Notable For

- Performing as a stage actor in London during the early 19th century
- Employment at The Theatre Royal, Covent Garden (established 1663)
- Career spanning the Georgian and early Victorian eras
- Performance of Shakespearean comedy and tragedy genres
- Living during the formation and existence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801-1922)

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Edmund Kean was born in 1787 (with sources providing varying dates of November 4, March 17, or simply the year 1789) in England. As an English citizen, his lifetime coincided with the formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in 1801, a political entity created through the Acts of Union 1800 that united the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland. This historical context placed Kean within a unified British state that would last until 1922.

### Career and Employment

Kean's primary professional affiliation was with The Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, London. This theatre, established in 1663, represents one of the oldest and most historically significant theatre venues in the United Kingdom. Located in the Covent Garden district of London, The Theatre Royal served as a major West End theatre during Kean's career. As a stage actor, Kean performed live before in-person audiences, which was the dominant form of theatrical performance before the advent of film and recording technologies.

### Artistic Focus

Kean's work centered on Shakespearean comedy, a theatrical genre that encompasses works written by William Shakespeare intended for comedic rather than tragic or historical treatment. This specialization placed him within a tradition of British theatre that valued the preservation and performance of Shakespeare's works, a tradition that helped define British cultural identity during the 19th century.

### Historical Context

The period of Kean's career (roughly from the early 1800s to 1833) was significant in British history. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, established on January 1, 1801, created a single political entity with a shared parliament and government based in London. By the time of Kean's death in 1833, the United Kingdom had already experienced significant historical events, including the Napoleonic Wars and subsequent political developments. The capital city of London, where Kean performed, served as the political and cultural center of this unified kingdom.

### Legacy and Cultural Significance

Edmund Kean represents the theatrical profession in early 19th-century Britain. His work at The Theatre Royal contributed to the cultural life of London, which was home to diverse populations and served as the hub of British artistic production. The Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, with its long history dating back to 1663, provided a venue for performances that entertained Londoners and visitors to the city. As a stage actor specializing in Shakespearean comedy, Kean participated in the ongoing tradition of performing Shakespeare's works that helped shape English-language theatre and cultural heritage.

### Professional Profile

Edmund Kean was classified as a human being (the biological classification for members of Homo sapiens) and specifically as a stage actor—a performer who delivers live theatrical presentations before a physical audience. His occupation as an actor placed him within the performing arts industry, which constituted a significant part of the cultural infrastructure of the United Kingdom during his lifetime. The combination of his employment at a historic London venue and his focus on classical Shakespearean works positioned him within a prestigious tradition of British theatre that continues to influence contemporary performance.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. The Peerage
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. [Encyclopædia Britannica Ninth Edition](http://www.1902encyclopedia.com/K/KEA/edmund-kean.html)
6. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
7. [Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition](http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/JUN_KHA/KEAN_EDMUND_17871833_.html)
8. [Google Books](https://books.google.fr/books?id=UplBAQAAMAAJ)
9. Encyclopædia Universalis
10. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
11. SNAC
12. Internet Broadway Database
13. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. CERL Thesaurus
16. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
17. Enciclopedia Treccani
18. performing-arts.ch