Charles Selby
(circa 1802-1863), Actor and dramatistSitter in 2 portraits
In 1832, Charles Selby was a member of the company at the Strand Theatre, and two years later produced a farce, The Unfinished Gentleman, at the Adelphi. From the quasi-autobiographical revelations in this work it appears that Selby was self-educated, had visited Barbados, and had some nautical experience. During his thirty years as an actor and playwright Selby performed principally character parts and supplied a long series of plays, mainly farces. One of his most successful pieces was Robert Macaire (1836), a three-act melodrama that had a long life on the stage and became one of Henry Irving's stock pieces.
by Herbert Watkins
albumen print, arched top, late 1850s
NPG P301(155)
by Herbert Watkins
albumen print, arched top, late 1850s
NPG P301(156)
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. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. 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.