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Adelaide Neilson

(1848-1880), Actress

Later Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 18 portraits
Adelaide Neilson, whose real name was Elizabeth Ann Brown, was born in Leeds, the daughter of an actress, and her childhood and early youth were passed in poverty and menial work. In 1865 she appeared in Margate as Julia in The Hunchback, a character with which her name was long associated. For the next few years she played at several London and provincial theatres in various parts, including Rosalind, Amy Robsart and Rebecca (in Ivanhoe) and Beatrice, Viola and Isabella (in Measure for Measure). In 1872 she visited America, where her beauty and talent made her a great favourite, and she returned there on many subsequent occasions.

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Adelaide Neilson, by Thomas Edward Gaunt, after a photograph by  Napoleon Sarony - NPG 1781b

Adelaide Neilson

by Thomas Edward Gaunt, after a photograph by Napoleon Sarony
chalk, 1880
NPG 1781b

Adelaide Neilson, by Charles Reutlinger - NPG x135653

Adelaide Neilson

by Charles Reutlinger
albumen carte-de-visite, after 1868
NPG x135653

Adelaide Neilson, by José Maria Mora - NPG x45110

Adelaide Neilson

by José Maria Mora
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG x45110

Adelaide Neilson, published by Figaro Office - NPG x21483

Adelaide Neilson

published by Figaro Office
woodburytype, 1870s
NPG x21483

Adelaide Neilson, by Simpson & Co, after  Napoleon Sarony - NPG Ax39854

Adelaide Neilson

by Simpson & Co, after Napoleon Sarony
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG Ax39854

Adelaide Neilson as Amy Robsart in 'Kenilworth', by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG Ax18178

Adelaide Neilson as Amy Robsart in 'Kenilworth'

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, 1871
NPG Ax18178

Adelaide Neilson as Rebecca in 'Rebecca', by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG Ax28480

Adelaide Neilson as Rebecca in 'Rebecca'

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, 1871
NPG Ax28480

Adelaide Neilson as Amy Robsart in 'Kenilworth', by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG x193204

Adelaide Neilson as Amy Robsart in 'Kenilworth'

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, 1871
NPG x193204

Adelaide Neilson, by Fradelle & Marshall - NPG x21484

Adelaide Neilson

by Fradelle & Marshall
woodburytype, 1873-1877
NPG x21484

Adelaide Neilson, by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG x14711

Adelaide Neilson

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen cabinet card, 1876
NPG x14711

Adelaide Neilson, by Lock & Whitfield, published by  Wyman & Sons - NPG Ax129594

Adelaide Neilson

by Lock & Whitfield, published by Wyman & Sons
woodburytype, published 1 April 1879
NPG Ax129594

Adelaide Neilson, by Unknown photographer, published by  Hardwicke & Bogue - NPG Ax45752

Adelaide Neilson

by Unknown photographer, published by Hardwicke & Bogue
woodburytype, published 1879
NPG Ax45752

Adelaide Neilson, by Lock & Whitfield, published by  Wyman & Sons - NPG x21485

Adelaide Neilson

by Lock & Whitfield, published by Wyman & Sons
woodburytype, published 1 April 1879
NPG x21485

Web image not currently available

Adelaide Neilson

by Unknown photographer
woodburytype, 1870s
NPG x21482

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