Jane Tryphoena Stephens (1812? – 15 January 1896) was a British actress who became famous as she became older.
Jane Tryphoena Stephens | |
|---|---|
 Jane 'Grannie' Stephens by William Bond | |
| Born | 1812? |
| Died | 15 January 1896 |
| Nationality | British |
Life edit
Her first surname is unknown as she sometimes appeared as "Miss Stephens". She had a husband called Joseph Stephens who was a solicitor's clerk. Before she took to the stage in 1840 she ran a tobacconists. She took a variety of roles but it was not until 1854 that she found her niche. She took on "grandmotherly" type roles in a number of productions and was affectionately known as "Granny" Stephens.[1] She finished her career on 9 July 1889 with a benefit programme at the Shaftesbury Theatre. The committee responsible for promoting the show included R D'Oyly Carte, George Edwardes and C H Hawtrey.[2][1]
Stephens died in Clapham Common in 1896 of bronchitis.[2] She was cremated on 20 January and her ashes were buried in the Actors' Acre in Brookwood Cemetery in Woking.[3]
Legacy edit
There is a portrait of "Mrs Stephens" in the National Portrait Gallery by William Bond dating from the early 19th century.[4]
References edit
- ^ a b "The Shaftesbury - Mrs. Stephens's Farewell". The Stage. No. 434. 12 July 1889. p. 10. Retrieved 18 February 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b Knight, Joseph; Gilliland, Jean (2004). "Stephens, Jane Tryphoena". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/26386. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ "The Late Mrs Jane Stephens". The Globe. No. 31404. 21 January 1896. p. 2. Retrieved 18 February 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Mrs Stephens, National Portrait Gallery, London
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