Bellamy, George Anne (1727–1788)

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Bellamy, George Anne (1727–1788)

Irish actress. Name variations: Mrs. Bellamy. Born George Anne Bellamy at Co. Fingal, Dublin, Ireland, by her own account, on St. George's Day, April 23, 1733, but more probably in 1727; died in London, England, Feb 16 (some sources cite Feb 10), 1788; illeg. dau. of James O'Hara, 2nd Baron Tyrawley (British ambassador) and a Quaker named Miss Seal; educated at a convent in Boulogne, France; married twice, once bigamously (West Digges, 1763).

Celebrated actress, 1st appeared at Covent Garden in Love for Love (1742); considered the better of the Juliets, played Juliet to David Garrick's Romeo at Drury Lane; published 5-vol. Apology, containing her "amours, adventures, and vicissitudes" (1785), the year of her retirement, to great success.

See also Women in World History.

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