Author: Jackson, John
Biography:
JACKSON, John (1729/30-1806: ODNB)
Actor, playwright, theatre manager. His History of the Scottish Stage (1793) includes some biographical information. It is possible that his father was the Rev. John Jackson (1686-1763), religious controversialist, and his wife Elizabeth Cowley. If so, he was probably born at Rossington, Yorkshire. Educated at Doncaster and Kirkby Lonsdale, John Jackson was also intended to become a clergyman but instead went to Edinburgh where he began his acting career as Oroonoko in 1762. In 1769 he married Hester Sowden, an actor and daughter of the actor John Sowden; they had four children. As actors, they travelled extensively, never staying long in one place and often appearing together in the same play (including in Jackson’s own Eldred). Hester was very successful but Jackson’s talents were better suited to writing and management. In the 1780s, he was simultaneously running theatres in both Glasgow and Edinburgh while also being involved with theatrical establishments at Dundee, Dumfries, and Aberdeen. He declared bankruptcy in 1791 under circumstances detailed in his History of the Scottish Stage (1793). His acting career enjoyed a resurgence and in the early 1800s he was again managing the Edinburgh and Glasgow theatres. He and Hester both died at Edinburgh in 1806; they are buried in the Calton cemetery. (ODNB 13 Mar. 2019) SR
Other Names:
- J. Jackson