page_title: Henry Compton (actor)
section_title: Later years
hierarchical_section_title: Henry Compton (actor) / Biography / Later years
caption_attribution_description: English: Henry Compton - Charles Mackenzie 1805-1877, English Actor.
context_page_description: Henry Compton was an English actor best known for his Shakespearean comic roles.
  Compton began his career in Shakespeare plays in the British provinces. He then began to specialize in low comedy roles in touring companies, where he played for over a decade. He first appeared in London in 1837 and joined the company at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane later that year, again playing in Shakespeare. Other notable roles that followed included Tony Lumpkin in She Stoops to Conquer, Gnatbrain in Black-Eyed Susan, Sir Peter Teazle in The School for Scandal and Foresight in Love for Love. By the early 1840s, Compton had earned the reputation of being the best Shakespearian clown of his age both in London and in the provinces. He performed for three years at the Princess's Theatre, London, famously playing Touchstone in As You Like It in 1844. He also played at the Olympic Theatre for three years, then the Royal Strand Theatre. In 1853 he joined the company at the Haymarket Theatre, where he originated roles in important new plays. He also won praise as Mr. Cox in revivals of Box and Cox.
  In the 1870s, he played frequently at the old Globe Theatre.
context_section_description: In 1870, he was back at the Olympic in Taylor's Handsome is that Handsome Does, and in 1871 was in Partners for Life by H. J. Byron at the old Globe Theatre, where he performed in many plays thereafter.  Compton's last role was in 1877 at the Prince of Wales's Theatre in Liverpool as Mawworm in The Hypocrite and Pangloss in George Colman's The Heir at Law.  One of his most famous roles was as the Gravedigger in Hamlet, which he played often in his career, including at the Lyceum Theatre with Henry Irving in June 1875. Compton was described as "an actor perfectly original in his style, and possessing a fund of dry, quiet humour that never failed to minister to the amusement of the playing public." He then joined the Vezin-Chippendale tour. He appeared at the Haymarket as Tony Lumpkin in the Alehouse scene for Edgar Bruce's benefit on 9 August.
  When Compton became ill with cancer and was unable to work to support his family, his friends organised two benefit performances for him.  The first was held at Drury Lane on 1 March 1877.  This performance included scenes from Othello; Bulwer Lytton's comedy Money, featuring Compton's son, Edward Compton; Sheridan's The Critic with Charles Mathews as Mr. Puff; Morton's Lend me Five Shillings; Macklin's Man of World; and Trial by Jury. Henry Irving, Joseph Jefferson, Squire Bancroft, Ellen Terry, J. L. Toole, Nellie Farren and many other leading stars took part.  In Trial by Jury, conducted by Arthur Sullivan, W. S. Gilbert appeared as the Associate, Pauline Rita was the Plaintiff, W. H. Cummings was the Defendant and Arthur Cecil was the Usher.  The chorus comprised leading stars such as W. S. Penley, George Grossmith, Kate Bishop and Marion Terry.  The benefit realised over £3250, a large sum by the standards of the day.  The second benefit, which was held at Manchester on 27 March 1877, was nearly as successful.
  Compton was the father of the actors Charles and Edward Compton, and the grandfather of the actress Fay Compton. and the novelist Compton Mackenzie.
  Compton died in 1877 after a long struggle with cancer at the age of 72 at his home, Seaforth House, Stanford Road, St. Mary Abbotts in Kensington, London. His will was proved at the Principal Registry on 17 October by his widow.
caption: Compton in later years
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