James William Dodd

James William Dodd (1740?–1796) was an English actor, one of David Garrick's picked company.

Born in London about 1740, he is said to have been the son of a hairdresser. He was educated at the grammar school in Holborn. A success in a school performance of the Andria of Terence decided him to become an actor.

Aged 16, Dodd is said to have appeared at Sheffield as Roderigo in Othello. He was met by Tate Wilkinson in Norwich in 1763. He then played in comedy and tragedy, and was popular, according to Wilkinson. An engagement in Bath, Somerset followed, and proved a stepping-stone to London.

John Hoadly saw Dodd in The Jealous Wife and recommended him to David Garrick, who decided with James Lacy to engage him for Drury Lane Theatre. Dodd's first appearance at Drury Lane took place 3 October 1765 as Faddle in Edward Moore's comedy, The Foundling. For 31 years, Dodd remained there. During this long period he played mainly beaux and coxcombs, regarded as a successor in that to Colley Cibber. He played also in low comedy, sang occasionally, and for benefits took on some serious characters, appearing on one occasion as Richard III. Among characters of which Dodd was the first exponent were Sir Benjamin Backbite in The School for Scandal, Dangle in the The Critic, Lord Foppington in A Trip to Scarborough, and Adam Winterton in The Iron Chest. The Iron Chest was a failure; George Colman the Younger, the author, laid the blame on John Philip Kemble, who played Sir Edward Mortimer. The public, however, hissed Dodd, whose part was tedious.

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