Henry Irving

SIR HENRY IRVING d1905. English stage actor of the Victorian era and the first actor ever to be knighted in 1895. He became well known as an actor-manager, because of his taking complete responsibility over supervision of sets, lighting, direction and casting as well as playing the leading roles for season after season at the Lyceum Theatre. His most famous role was as "Hamlet" ; he was known as "The Governor" to those under his supervision at the Lyceum. Irving is thought to have been the inspiration for the title character in then Lyceum manager Bram Stockers now iconic 1897 novel "Dracula". He died aged 67 after suffering a stroke