Thomas Abthorpe Cooper

Thomas Abthorpe Cooper was born in 1776 in Harrow on the Hill, London, England. He was the son of a physician employed by the East India Company. Following the death of his father, Cooper was adopted by Thomas Holcroft and William Godwin. He received an education deemed good for the period.

Cooper's early acting career began with Stephen Kemble's company in Edinburgh. He subsequently performed at Covent Garden in London, where he achieved notable success portraying roles such as Hamlet and Macbeth. His first documented performance in North America took place in December 1796, when he appeared as Macbeth at the Chestnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. In August 1797, he performed at the Greenwich Street Theatre in New York as Pierre in the play Venice Preserved.

In 1802, Cooper returned to England for several years, during which he held a prominent position in the English theatre scene. He later resumed performances in the United States, returning to New York in 1804. Soon thereafter, he became the lessee of the Park Theatre, a position that allowed him to influence the American stage substantially. Although he traveled back to England for a short period, Cooper soon returned to the United States, where he continued his acting career into advanced age.

Cooper's family connections extended into American political history; his daughter, Priscilla Cooper Tyler, married Robert Tyler, the eldest son of President John Tyler. His public service roles in the United States included serving as a military storekeeper in Frankford, Pennsylvania, in 1841, and later as a surveyor for the ports of New York and Philadelphia.

Regarding his personal attributes, Cooper was noted for his natural appearance and voice. He did not distinguish himself academically but was recognized for his innate talent. His acting style was influenced by the school of John Philip Kemble, and during his early career, he was considered a potential rival to Kemble.

Thomas Abthorpe Cooper died on April 21, 1849, in Bristol, Pennsylvania.