, a celebrated English actress, and most accomplished woman, was
, a celebrated English actress, and
most accomplished woman, was born in Pall-mall, London,
in 1683. Her father, once possessed of a competent estate, was then an officer in the guards; but, being improvident, left his family, at his death, almost destitute. In
these circumstances, the widow was forced to live with a
sister, who kept a tavern in St. James’s market; and the
daughter was placed with a sempstress in King-street,
Westminster. Miss Oldfield, in the mean time, conceived
an extraordinary taste for the drama, and was entertaining
her relations at a tavern by reading, or attempting to act,
when her voice chanced to reach the eat of Farquhar, the
celebrated dramatic writer, who happened to dine in the
same house. On being introduced, he was struck with
her agreeable person and carriage, and presently pronounced her admirably formed for the stage. This concurring with her own inclinations, her mother opened the
matter to sir John Vanburgh, a friend of the family, who
having the same favourable opinion of her talents, recommended her to Mr. Rich, then patentee of the king’s
theatre. She remained, however, in comparative obscurity, till 1703, when she first appeared to advantage in
the part of Leonora in “Sir Courtly Nice;
” and established her theatrical reputation, the following year, in
th'at of Lady Betty Modish in the “Careless Husband.
”