James Burbage
| James Burbage | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1531 |
| Died | 1597 (aged about 66) |
| Occupation | joiner, builder, actor, impresario, theatre owner |
| Known for | Building The Theatre |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen Burbage (nee Brayne) |
| Children | |
James Burbage (1530–35 – 2 February 1597) was an English actor, theatre impresario, joiner, and theatre builder in the English Renaissance theatre. He built The Theatre, the first permanent dedicated theatre built in England since Roman times.
James Burbage was born about 1531, probably in Bromley in Kent. He was apprenticed in London to the trade of joiner, and must have persevered through his apprenticeship and taken up his freedom, as in 1559 he was referred to as a joiner twice in the St Stephen's register.
Burbage took up acting and was the leader of Leicester's Men by 1572. Burbage had various talents, e.g. an actor, builder, and theatre owner; he was heavily involved in groups concerning theater. He was said to be a theatre professional "who bridged the gap between late-medieval drama in England and the flowering of the great Elizabethan Theatre." Burbage was described as handsome in appearance, charming in manner, honest, tactful, and witty by Sir Robert Dudley, patron of Leicester's Men. Another professional acquaintance depicted James as more motivated by commerce than by art because of his dependency on financial success.
Burbage married Ellen Brayne, the daughter of Thomas Brayne, a London tailor and sister of his later business partner John Brayne, on 23 April 1559. They were settled in St. Leonard's parish in Shoreditch by 1576, with residence in Halliwell Street or Holywell Lane.
Burbage's son Richard Burbage became one of the most celebrated actors of his era. Cuthbert Burbage, Richard's elder brother, followed in his father's footsteps as a theatre manager.
James Burbage was buried in Shoreditch on 2 February 1597. He died intestate. Having previously given his Blackfriars property to his son Richard and his personal property to his grandson Cuthbert, his widow presented an inventory valued at only £37.
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