George W. Jamieson
Encyclopedia
George W. Jamieson was an American
actor and lapidary
, born in Varick Street, New York
. His mother was an American of remarkable talents; his father was an Irishman. At an early age he was apprenticed to a lapidary, and in cutting gems he acquired facility, — his cameos being considered models of artistic beauty and truth. In early manhood he went to Washington
, where he made excellent cameo portraits — of Henry Clay
, and of other distinguished men — and where he became a favorite, both as a man and as an artist. His taste and desire, however, impelled him toward the Stage, and for that profession he studied and practised assiduously in several amateur dramatic societies.
His first regular professional appearance was made at the Bowery Theatre
, New York, under the management of Hamblin
, in 1835, in his own farce
, "The Chameleon." his success was good and he remained an actor all his days. He was engaged in the National Theatre (Church street, New York), in 1839; he appeared in Philadelphia
for the first time on October 9, 1840; and he made a professional visit to England
in 1861. At one time he played opposite parts to the elder Booth
and to Edwin Forrest
. His Iago was his best Shakespearean
impersonation, although he played Othello well, and he was a superb reader of Hamlet: but he did not make a name as a Shakespearean actor.
His last professional appearance was made in Yonkers, where he resided for several years and was highly esteemed, and where he met an awful fate. The express train on the Hudson River Railroad that left New York on Saturday evening, October 3, 1868, bore with it his death. He had gone on an earlier train and been carried beyond the Yonkers station and landed at Glenwood, where he walked back on the railway line, and was struck and instantly killed by the express train. On Tuesday afternoon, October 6, 1868, in the village of Yonkers
, friends of George W. Jamieson assembled in the church of St. John to perform funeral rites over his remains and to lay them in the grave. His grave is in a little cemetery near Yonkers.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor and lapidary
Lapidary
A lapidary is an artist or artisan who forms stone, mineral, gemstones, and other suitably durable materials into decorative items such as engraved gems, including cameos, or cabochons, and faceted designs...
, born in Varick Street, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His mother was an American of remarkable talents; his father was an Irishman. At an early age he was apprenticed to a lapidary, and in cutting gems he acquired facility, — his cameos being considered models of artistic beauty and truth. In early manhood he went to Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, where he made excellent cameo portraits — of Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
, and of other distinguished men — and where he became a favorite, both as a man and as an artist. His taste and desire, however, impelled him toward the Stage, and for that profession he studied and practised assiduously in several amateur dramatic societies.
His first regular professional appearance was made at the Bowery Theatre
Bowery Theatre
The Bowery Theatre was a playhouse in the Bowery neighborhood of New York City. Although it was founded by rich families to compete with the upscale Park Theatre, the Bowery saw its most successful period under the populist, pro-American management of Thomas Hamblin in the 1830s and 1840s...
, New York, under the management of Hamblin
Thomas S. Hamblin
Thomas Sowerby Hamblin was an English actor and theatre manager. He first took the stage in England, then immigrated to the United States in 1825. He received critical acclaim there, and eventually entered theatre management. During his tenure at New York City's Bowery Theatre he helped establish...
, in 1835, in his own farce
Farce
In theatre, a farce is a comedy which aims at entertaining the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humour of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include word play, and a fast-paced plot whose speed usually increases,...
, "The Chameleon." his success was good and he remained an actor all his days. He was engaged in the National Theatre (Church street, New York), in 1839; he appeared in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
for the first time on October 9, 1840; and he made a professional visit to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1861. At one time he played opposite parts to the elder Booth
Junius Brutus Booth
Junius Brutus Booth was an English actor. He was the father of John Wilkes Booth , Edwin Booth , and Junius Brutus Booth, Jr., an actor and theatre manager...
and to Edwin Forrest
Edwin Forrest
Edwin Forrest was an American actor.-Early life:Forrest was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of Scottish and German descent. His father died and he was brought up by his mother, a German woman of humble origins. He was educated at the common schools in Philadelphia, and early evinced a taste...
. His Iago was his best Shakespearean
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
impersonation, although he played Othello well, and he was a superb reader of Hamlet: but he did not make a name as a Shakespearean actor.
His last professional appearance was made in Yonkers, where he resided for several years and was highly esteemed, and where he met an awful fate. The express train on the Hudson River Railroad that left New York on Saturday evening, October 3, 1868, bore with it his death. He had gone on an earlier train and been carried beyond the Yonkers station and landed at Glenwood, where he walked back on the railway line, and was struck and instantly killed by the express train. On Tuesday afternoon, October 6, 1868, in the village of Yonkers
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
, friends of George W. Jamieson assembled in the church of St. John to perform funeral rites over his remains and to lay them in the grave. His grave is in a little cemetery near Yonkers.