Lacy, Harriette Deborah (1807–1874)

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Lacy, Harriette Deborah (1807–1874)

English actress. Born in London in 1807; died in 1874; daughter of a tradesman named Taylor; married Walter Lacy (1809–1898, an actor), in 1839.

Born in London in 1807, Harriette Lacy made her first stage appearance at Bath in 1827 as Julia in The Rivals; she was then cast in leading parts in both comedy and tragedy. Her first London appearance was in 1830, as Nina in Dimond's Carnival of Naples. Her Rosalind as well as her Aspatia to William Macready's Melantius in The Bridal and her Lady Teazle to Walter Lacy's Charles Surface confirmed her position and popularity. Lacy was the original Helen in The Hunchback (1832). She also orginated the role of Nell Gwynn in Douglas Jerrold's play of that name, and the role of the heroine in his Housekeeper. Considered the finest Ophelia of her day, Harriette Lacy retired in 1848.

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