Master Grossmith Explained

William Robert Grossmith
Birth Place:Reading, England
Occupation:Actor and prosthetic Limb manufacturer

William Robert Grossmith, also known as Master Grossmith (1818–1899), was a 19th-century child actor, the eldest son of William Grossmith, who then established a second career as a maker of prosthetic limbs.

Career

Grossmith was known as the 'Infant Roscius' or 'Young Roscius' as he began acting at a very young age. In 1825 a pamphlet was published publicising this prodigy child actor with the title The Life of the Celebrated Infant Roscius, Master Grossmith of Reading, Berks, only seven years and a quarter Old.[1] Another, retitled to not yet nine years of age, was published in 1827.[2] [3]

He also made appearances with a younger sibling, Master Benjamin Grossmith.[4] After retiring from the stage William made a second career out of prosthetic limb manufacture.[5] Their new entertainment for 1836, in three parts, was written expressly for them by George Dibdin Pitt, and performed in King's Lynn, Wisbech and other provincial theatres.[6]

In fact, so well-respected were William Grossmith' products that in 1856 he published a book on the subject: Amputations and Artificial Limbs (or Grossmith on Amputations, Artificial Legs, Hands &c.)[7] [8]

Legacy

A painting of Grossmith as Richard in William Shakespeare's Richard III by G. Hancock is in the Victoria and Albert Museum.[9] A print of Grossmith as a child is in the British Museum collection.[10]

Artificial limbs made by Grossmith in his later career are held in the Science Museum.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Life of the Celebrated Infant Roscius Master Grossmith of Reading, Berks, Only Seven Years and a Quarter Old . 1825 . 31 December 2019. E. C. B .
  2. Book: The Life and Theatrical Excursions of William Robert Grossmith the juvenile actor, not yet 9 years of age. 1827. M Cowslade & Co.
  3. Web site: Child prodigy actor prepares to retire as he headlines in Stockton . BBC . 31 December 2019.
  4. Web site: Master Grossmith. 23 January 2021. britishmuseum.org.
  5. Web site: Artificial Limb. Science Museum. 21 December 2019.
  6. News: Bury and Norwich Post. 9 December 1835. 3. Masters Grossmith.
  7. Web site: A London Family. A London Family. April 2017 . 21 December 2019.
  8. Book: Grossmith . William Robert . Amputations and Artificial Limbs . 1857 . London . 31 December 2019.
  9. Web site: William Robert Goldsmith. Artuk. 21 December 2019.
  10. Web site: William Grossmith. British Museum. 21 December 2019.
  11. Web site: Master Grossmith. Science Museum Group. 21 December 2019.