Sir Augustus Henry Glossop Harris
Producer, Director
English
Introduction
Augustus Harris was born in 1852 into a theatrical family in Paris. He was one of five children raised by the theatre manager, Augustus Frederick Glossop Harris, and his wife, Maria Ann (née Bone), a theatrical costumier. His grandparents were a theatre manager and an opera singer. After his father's death in 1873 he turned to the theatre, taking up acting. He married Florence Edgecombe on 9 November 1881 and they raised one daughter together. Harris’ health soon began to deteriorate under his workload and, in 1896, he was forced to take a break. He traveled to the seaside resort of Folkestone, Kent for recuperation. However, the enforced rest came too late as he was diagnosed with diabetes and cancer, and died one week later on June 22 1896. He was just 44 years old. His widow went on to marry the popular Victorian comedian Edward O’Connor Terry.
Key Dates & Events
- 1873 - Harris pursues theatre as a professional career
- 1876 - Harris becomes the resident stage manager at Manchester's Prince's Theatre
- 1879 - Harris begins producing pantomimes at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
- 1891 - Harris is knighted
Context & Analysis
Education & Influences
Augustus Harris was educated in London until moving back to Paris aged eleven to attend the Lycée Chaptal and then the music academy, École Niedermeyer. He completed his education by learning German in Hanover. On leaving school he went to work for the financial firm Emile Erlanger & Co., before joining the Paris house of Tiffany’s. Upon his
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Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher