George Grossmith
(1847-1912), Entertainer and authorLater Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry
Sitter in 15 portraits
Best remembered for creating a series of characters in the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, and for writing the comic novel, Diary of a Nobody (1892). He was also famous in his day for performing his own comic sketches. His first engagement was in 1870 with a nightly spot at the Royal Polytechnic Institution in Regent Street, and he gave countless entertainments at literary institutes and public halls. His 'sketches' included anecdotes, satirical commentary and comic songs. For twelve years from 1877, Grossmith played the chief comic part in all of Gilbert and Sullivan's operas, including Sir Joseph Porter, in H.M.S. Pinafore, and the Major-General in The Pirates of Penzance.
by Harry Furniss
pen and ink, 1880s-1900s
NPG 3456
by Harry Furniss
pen and ink, 1880s-1900s
NPG 3457
by Lock & Whitfield
woodburytype, published November 1879
NPG x16920
by Elliott & Fry
albumen cabinet card, 1880s
NPG x36215
by Herbert Rose Barraud
albumen cabinet card, 1880s
NPG x36216
George Grossmith as Ko-Ko in 'The Mikado'
probably by Herbert Rose Barraud, published by David Bogue
woodburytype, published 1 June 1885
NPG Ax29207
George Grossmith as Ko-Ko in 'The Mikado'
probably by Herbert Rose Barraud, published by David Bogue
woodburytype, published 1 June 1885
NPG x16919
Members of the cast of 'Iolanthe' and others
by and after Elliott & Fry
bromide print, 1890s
NPG Ax139921
by and after Elliott & Fry
bromide print, 1890s
NPG Ax139923
by and after Elliott & Fry
bromide print, 1890s
NPG Ax139924
by Herbert Rose Barraud, published by Eglington & Co
carbon print, published 1893
NPG Ax27647
George Grossmith ('Men of the Day.; No. 393.')
by Sir Leslie Ward
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 21 January 1888
NPG D44369
"In Vanity Fair" (King George V, Prince Arthur of Connaught and 20 others)
by Unknown artist
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 29 November 1890
NPG D44518
George Grossmith (George Grossmith as Robin Oakapple in Ruddigore 1887)
by Fred Roe
pen, 27 December 1908
NPG D43076
by Sir Leslie Ward, and Carlo Pellegrini, and 'Hay', and Théobald Chartran ('T'), and Liborio Prosperi ('Lib')
chromolithographs pasted onto wooden panel, assembled from prints published 1881-1889
NPG D39292
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