Elizabeth Robins http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Wrobins.htm
American novelist, actress and feminist. Produced and acted in several Ibsen plays on the West End stage in London. Wrote a large number of speeches defending militant suffragettes between 1906 and 1912. (1862-1952)
Ethel Barrymore http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ACbarrymore.htm
American stage actress who made professional debut in New York City and later appeared in London productions. Film career included roles in award-winning, None But the Lonely Heart (1944) and The Spiral Staircase. (1879-1959)
George Sims http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jsims.htm
English playwright, social reformist and journalist. Wrote series of newspaper articles depicting poverty of the working class in London and another series later published as books on child poverty. (1847-1922)
Mark Lemon http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jlemon.htm
English journalist and prolific playwright, with over 60 plays to his credit. Best known as one of the founding members of Punch Magazine and served as joint editor with Henry Mayhew. (1809-1870)
Maud Gonne http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ACgonne.htm
Irish actress and political activist. Founded the revolutionary group, the Daughters of Erin. Helped William Butler Yeats establish the Abbey Theatre in Dublin and acted in many of his plays. (1865-1953)
Oscar Wilde http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jwilde.htm
Irish poet, dramatist and novelist. Wrote the novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Achieved his greatest success with a series of light comedies, including Lady Windermere's Fan and The Importance of Being Ernest. (1854-1900)
Richard Sheridan http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/PRsheridan.htm
Irish dramatist and politician. Wrote popular comedies, including The Rivals and The School for Scandal. Served as under secretary for Foreign Affairs, in the coalition ministry headed by William Pitt, and as under secretary of the navy. (1751-1816)
Sarah Siddons http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ACsissons.htm
English actress who achieved recognition for her ability in the Drury Lane Theatre in London. Considered to be Britain's leading actress, her final performance on stage was in the role of Lady Macbeth. (1755-1831)
William Makepeace Thackeray http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jthackeray.htm
Born in Calcutta, India. Returned to England with his parents and became a journalist and novelist. Wrote Vanity Fair, considered to be his best work, followed by The History of Henry Esmond, Newcomes, and The Virginians. (1811-1863)