Charles west Cope was an English painter. He was born in 1811 and died in 1890. He studied at the Royal Academy and in Italy, and first exhibited at the academy in 1831. In 1843 he gained a prize of 300 pounds for his picture 'The First Trial by Jury;' in 1844, by his fresco the 'Meeting of Jacob and Rachael,' secured the commission for one of six frescoes for the House of Lords, producing accordingly 'Edward the Black Prince receiving the Order of the Garter.' Altogether he has executed eight frescoes from English history of the 17th century for the House of Lords, while his other works have been numerous, the subjects being historical, romantic, or domestic. Of note are Last Days of CardinalWolsey, Prince Henry before Justice Gascoigne, Departure of the Pilgrim Fathers, Burial of Charles I, Parting of LordWilliam and Lady Russell, L'Allegro and Il Penseroso, Milton's Dream, Shylock and Jessica, Ann Page and Slender, Lear and Cordelia. He became ARA in 1844 and RA in 1848, but retired in 1883. Research Charles Cope
John Henderson was an English actor. He was born in 1747 at Cheapside, London and died in 1785. His first appearance was at Bath as Hamlet in 1772 and in 1777 he acted Shylock at the Haymaket Theatre, London. Research John Henderson
Samuel Phelps was an English actor. He was born in 1804 at Devonport and died in 1878. He made his debut playing Shylock at London in 1837. Along with Thomas Greenwood and Mrs Warner he opened a small theatre at Sadler' s Wells in 1844, and for nearly twenty years successfully appeared there. His aim was to produce all Shakespeare's plays, and he actually did present thirty-four of them. He was an excellent all-round actor, primarily plying tragedy, but excellent as a comedian also. Research Samuel Phelps
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