Priscilla Kemble

Priscilla Kemble (1756 – May 1845) was an English actress. The English actor John Philip Kemble was her third and last husband.

Kemble was born Priscilla Hopkins in 1756, the daughter of a prompter named Hopkins, who was employed for many years at Drury Lane. Her mother (died September 1801) was a respected actress in David Garrick's company. An elder sister appeared as Miss Hopkins at Drury Lane on November 14, 1771, playing Cupid, a postilion, in A Trip to Scotland; on April 19, 1773 she made "her first appearance on any stage" as Celia in As You Like It; and acted with success for a few seasons, then married a wealthy man, and retired from the stage. She eventually returned to acting, as Mrs. Sharp, in 1779 and 1780.

Priscilla Hopkins was first known for being a member of Garrick's company at Drury Lane, playing Mildred in Old City Manners, an adaptation of Eastward Hoe! on November 9, 1775. She had probably been previously seen as Fanny in the Clandestine Marriage on November 20, and Maria in the Maid of the Oaks on the 28th. On February 15, 1776, she was the original Harriet in Hannah Cowley's Runaway, and on March 7, the original Eliza in Colman's Spleen, or Islington Spa. During the following season she played Sylvia in the Old Bachelor at Drury Lane. Kemble was the original Kitty Sprightly in Isaac Jackman's All the World's a Stage, and, May 8, 1777, the original Maria in the School for Scandal. Other parts followed: Bridget in Every Man in his Humour, Arabella in the Committee, Mademoiselle in the Provoked Wife, and Fanny in the Clandestine Marriage, played for the benefit of the Miss Hopkins's, May 1, 1778. Kemble was a very pretty, piquante was married to William Brereton (1751 – 1787), an actor of some position, who had played for some years at Drury Lane. Her marriage to Brereton was not a happy one due to a number of reasons.

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