Charles Dignum (c. 1765 – 29 March 1827) was a popular tenor singer, actor and composer of English birth and Irish parentage who was active in recital, concert and theatre stage, mainly in London, for about thirty years.
The boy had plans to enter the church, but was apprenticed by his father to a carver-gilder, with whom, however, he soon fell out, and after some months he articled himself to Thomas Linley the elder, the composer and singing master.
[2] Linley launched him on his public career in spring 1784, at first in the Handel memorial concerts at Westminster Abbey and the Pantheon, and then at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where he first appeared as Young Meadows in Love in a Village: 'His figure was rather unfavourable for the part, but his voice was so clear and full-toned, and his manner of singing so judicious, that he was received with great applause.
Amongst other characters those of Hawthorn' (Love in a Village) 'and Giles' (The Maid of the Mill) (libretti by Isaac Bickerstaffe, 1762 and 1765 respectively) 'particularly suited him: indeed he was thought superior in them to any actor that had appeared since the days of John Beard, their original representative.
[12] A contemporary of the great Michael Kelly, of Charles Incledon and (latterly) of John Braham, he had to work hard for public favour and to withstand attacks referring to his humble origins, his religion and his physical ungainliness (he became quite fat): but, having obtained respect for his skills and good character, he held his place in the affection of his admirers, made large sums at his benefits in later years, and was able to retire with some fortune.