Charles Kemble
(1775-1854), Actor, theatre manager and playwrightSitter associated with 31 portraits
The actor and theatre manager Charles Kemble conducted his career in the shadow of his acclaimed brother John Philip Kemble, and his legendary sister Sarah Siddons. He made his debut in the supporting role of Malcolm to his brother's Macbeth at Drury Lane in 1794. Unlike his siblings he acted in comedies as well as tragedies. He managed Covent Garden Theatre between 1822 and 1832; a difficult period when its best members, including the singer Catherine Stephens, were defecting to Drury Lane. Kemble's spectacular production of The Tempest (1842) caused a sensation when he used a real ship in the storm scene.
Abelard (called Charles Kemble)
Published by Thomas Watson
mezzotint, 1776
NPG D3393
by William Ridley, published by Vernor & Hood, after Theophilus Clarke
stipple engraving, published 31 May 1802
NPG D15504
'Theatrical mendicants, relieved'
by James Gillray, published by Hannah Humphrey
hand-coloured etching and aquatint, published 15 January 1809
NPG D12915
Charles Kemble as Cromwell in Henry VIII
by Thomas Goff Lupton, published by William Cribb, after George Henry Harlow
mezzotint, published 1 February 1819
NPG D36815
Charles Kemble as Faulconbridge
by Thomas Woolnoth, after Thomas Charles Wageman, published by Simpkin and Marshall
stipple engraving, Published 1819
NPG D38691
'Mr C Kemble as Charles Surface' (Charles Kemble)
by and published by Richard Dighton
hand-coloured etching, published 1821
NPG D13524
by William Thomas Fry, published by Sherwood & Co, probably after Thomas Charles Wageman
engraving, published 1825
NPG D38605
by Richard James Lane, published by Joseph Dickinson, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
lithograph, published May 1830
NPG D21827
by Richard James Lane, printed by Charles Joseph Hullmandel, published by Joseph Dickinson, after Sir Thomas Lawrence
lithograph, May 1830 (1805)
NPG D22400
Charles Kemble as Cassio in 'Othello'
by Richard James Lane, printed by Jérémie Graf, published by John Mitchell, after Alfred Edward Chalon
hand-coloured lithograph, published 1 December 1838
NPG D22072
by Richard James Lane, printed by Jérémie Graf, published by Colnaghi and Puckle
lithograph, published 1840
NPG D22322
by Richard James Lane, printed by Jérémie Graf, published by Colnaghi and Puckle, after Alfred Edward Chalon
lithograph, published May 1840
NPG D22324
Charles Kemble as Falstaff in 'Henry IV'
by Richard James Lane, printed by Jérémie Graf, published by Colnaghi and Puckle
lithograph, published May 1840
NPG D22325
by Richard James Lane, printed by Jérémie Graf, published by Colnaghi and Puckle, after Alfred Edward Chalon
lithograph, published May 1840
NPG D22326
Charles Kemble as Shylock in 'Merchant of Venice'
by Richard James Lane, printed by Jérémie Graf, published by Colnaghi and Puckle, after Alfred Edward Chalon
lithograph, published May 1840
NPG D22327
Charles Kemble as Mark Anthony in 'Julius Caesar'
by Richard James Lane, printed by M & N Hanhart, published by Colnaghi and Puckle, after Alfred Edward Chalon
lithograph, published May 1840
NPG D22328
Charles Kemble as Mercutio in 'Romeo and Juliet'
by Richard James Lane, printed by Jérémie Graf, published by Colnaghi and Puckle, after Alfred Edward Chalon
lithograph, published May 1840
NPG D22329
Charles Kemble as Macduff in 'Macbeth'
by Richard James Lane, printed by Jérémie Graf, published by Colnaghi and Puckle, after Alfred Edward Chalon
lithograph, published May 1840
NPG D22330
Related People
- Cecilia Combe (née Siddons) (niece)
- Adelaide Kemble (Mrs Sartoris) (daughter)
- Frances ('Fanny') Kemble (sister)
- Frances Anne ('Fanny') Kemble (daughter)
- Henry Vincent James Kemble (son)
- John Philip Kemble (brother)
- Maria Theresa Kemble (wife)
- Roger Kemble (father)
- Stephen Kemble (brother)
- George John Siddons (nephew)
- Henry Siddons (nephew)
- Maria Siddons (niece)
- Sarah Martha ('Sally') Siddons (niece)
- Sarah Siddons (née Kemble) (sister)
- Elizabeth Whitlock (née Kemble) (sister)
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