The Life of Mrs Jordan

A playwright-turned-biographer's 1831 account of the extraordinary life of Dorothy Jordan, celebrated actress and mistress of William, Duke of Clarence.

This two-volume biography presents the extraordinary and moving story, from acclaim to obscurity, of Dorothy Jordan (1761–1816), the celebrated comic actress, lover of Prince William, Duke of Clarence, and contemporary of Sarah Siddons. It was published in 1831 by her friend, the playwright and biographer James Boaden (1762–1839).The actress Dorothy Jordan (1761–1816), contemporary of Sarah Siddons, was born in London, one of nine children. Her reputation as the greatest comic actress of her time was secured upon joining Sheridan's company at Drury Lane in 1785. Remembered particularly for cross-dressing roles such as Rosalind in As You Like It and Viola in Twelfth Night, she brought great charm and spontaneity to her interpretations. Her life off-stage was equally colourful, and she was for over twenty years the lover of William, Duke of Clarence, with whom she had ten children. This two-volume biography, first published in 1831, was written by her friend James Boaden (1762–1839), a playwright who later turned to theatrical biography. In it, he relates the extraordinary and poignant story of her life from acclaim to obscurity. Volume 2 covers her many provincial tours, her enforced separation from Clarence, retirement and self-imposed exile in France.