Author: Owenson, Robert Nugent
Biography:
OWENSON, Robert Nugent, formerly MACEOGHAN or MACOWEN (1744-1812: DIB)
Owenson’s Theatrical Tears is a response to John Wilson Croker’s Familiar Epistles (1804), which was addressed to Frederick Jones, the Dublin theatre manager (qq.v.). He was born in the barony of Tyrawley, County Mayo, to Walter MacEoghan and his wife Sydney Bell. As a Catholic, his education was limited to what was available in hedge schools or his mother supplied. When he was patronised by a local landlord who was impressed by his singing, Owenson converted to Protestantism, anglicised his name, and moved to London where he took voice lessons before embarking on a stage career. He toured the provinces and performed in London to mixed reviews. On 15 Dec. 1772 he married Jane Hill (d 1789) of Shrewsbury; they had four children but just two daughters survived infancy. Sydney Owenson (q.v.) was their eldest daughter. In 1776 he returned to Ireland where he enjoyed success in Dublin’s theatres in Crow Street and Smock Alley. In 1782 he opened a theatre in Galway and, in 1784, a new Dublin theatre in Fishamble Street after he quarrelled with Richard Daly, manager of the Smock Alley theatre. When Smock Alley was awarded an exclusive performance patent in Dublin, Owenson successfully brought an action for loss of earnings before rejoining Daly’s theatre as assistant manager. At about this time he was also one of many who tried to help Thomas Dermody (q.v.). In 1795 he opened a theatre in Kilkenny but it proved financially unsuccessful and his stage career came to an end soon after. He returned to the theatre for his final performances in 1807. Owenson died at the Great George Street home of his youngest daughter on 27 May 1812. (ODNB 5 Oct. 2021; DIB 5 Oct. 2021; Star 11 June 1812)
Other Names:
- R. N. Owenson
- R. N. O.