Search the Collection

Dame Ellen Alice Terry

(1847-1928), Actress

Later Victorian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 196 portraits
Born in Coventry where her actor parents were on tour. Terry was one of eleven siblings and won fame as a child first appearing on stage in 1856 with Charles Kean. Married the painter G.F. Watts in 1864 but separated within a year. Terry had two children by the architect Edward Godwin, Edith Craig and Edward Gordon Craig. Returned to stage in 1872 to establish herself as a leading actress with the Bancroft's and John Hare's company. She performed her most memorable roles under the management of Henry Irving with whom she undertook provincial tours and toured America seven times. In later life she continued to act but also produced plays, lectured and wrote.

More on Terry: Ellen Terry range in our Shops | Tennyson and his Circle book in our Shops

Tell us More

List Thumbnail

Ellen Terry ('Choosing'), by George Frederic Watts - NPG 5048

Ellen Terry ('Choosing')

by George Frederic Watts
oil on strawboard mounted on Gatorfoam, 1864
On display in Room 26 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 5048

Ellen Terry, by George Frederic Watts - NPG 2274

Ellen Terry

by George Frederic Watts
oil on canvas, circa 1864-1865
NPG 2274

Ellen Terry, by Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson - NPG 3789

Ellen Terry

by Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson
oil on canvas, 1876
NPG 3789

Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth, replica by John Singer Sargent - NPG 2273

Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth

replica by John Singer Sargent
oil on canvas, 1906, based on a work of 1889
NPG 2273

The Royal Academy Conversazione, 1891, by George Henry Grenville Manton - NPG 2820

The Royal Academy Conversazione, 1891

by George Henry Grenville Manton
pen, ink and gouache, 1891
NPG 2820

Ellen Terry as Nance Oldfield, by James Ferrier Pryde - NPG 6568

Ellen Terry as Nance Oldfield

by James Ferrier Pryde
oil and varnish on card laid on board, circa 1894
NPG 6568

Ellen Terry, by Walford Graham Robertson - NPG 3132

Ellen Terry

by Walford Graham Robertson
oil on canvas, 1923
On display at Killerton, Exeter
NPG 3132

Ellen Terry, by Cyril Roberts - NPG 3662

Ellen Terry

by Cyril Roberts
charcoal and bodycolour, 1923
NPG 3662

Ellen Terry, by Margaret Winser - NPG 3657

Ellen Terry

by Margaret Winser
plaster cast of death-mask, 1928
NPG 3657

Charles John Kean; Ellen Terry as Leontes and Mamillius in 'The Winter's Tale', by Martin Laroche (William Henry Silvester) - NPG x7954

Charles John Kean; Ellen Terry as Leontes and Mamillius in 'The Winter's Tale'

by Martin Laroche (William Henry Silvester)
salt print, 26 April 1856
NPG x7954

Ellen Terry as Desdemona in 'Othello', by Southwell Brothers - NPG x16990

Ellen Terry as Desdemona in 'Othello'

by Southwell Brothers
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG x16990

The Green Room, by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG x18489

The Green Room

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen print, 11 May 1867
NPG x18489

Ellen Terry as Philippa Chester in 'The Wandering Heir', by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG Ax18156

Ellen Terry as Philippa Chester in 'The Wandering Heir'

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, 1874
NPG Ax18156

Ellen Terry as Philippa Chester in 'The Wandering Heir', by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG Ax18157

Ellen Terry as Philippa Chester in 'The Wandering Heir'

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, 1874
NPG Ax18157

Ellen Terry as Philippa Chester in 'The Wandering Heir', by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company - NPG x197559

Ellen Terry as Philippa Chester in 'The Wandering Heir'

by London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company
albumen carte-de-visite, 1874
NPG x197559

'Ladies of the London Stage', after Lock & Whitfield, and Unknown photographers - NPG x135885

'Ladies of the London Stage'

after Lock & Whitfield, and Unknown photographers
woodburytype, published 1875
NPG x135885

Ellen Terry, by Window & Grove - NPG Ax7600

Ellen Terry

by Window & Grove
woodburytype, 1876
NPG Ax7600

Ellen Terry as Olivia in 'Olivia', by Window & Grove - NPG x16986

Ellen Terry as Olivia in 'Olivia'

by Window & Grove
albumen cabinet card, 1878
NPG x16986

Ellen Terry as Olivia in 'Olivia', by Window & Grove - NPG x16987

Ellen Terry as Olivia in 'Olivia'

by Window & Grove
albumen cabinet card, 1878
NPG x16987

Ellen Terry as Ophelia in 'Hamlet', by Window & Grove - NPG x16971

Ellen Terry as Ophelia in 'Hamlet'

by Window & Grove
albumen cabinet card, circa 1878
NPG x16971

Related People

Category

Groups

Places

Links

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.