David Ross (actor, born 1728)

He was educated at Westminster School, and some indiscretion committed there when he was thirteen years old lost him the affection, never regained, of his father, who, in his will, left instructions to Elizabeth Ross to pay her brother annually, on his birthday, the sum of one shilling "to put him in mind of his misfortune he had to be born".

Engaged with Henry Mossop by David Garrick, he made his first appearance at Drury Lane in London in October 1751 as Young Bevil in The Conscious Lovers, by Richard Steele.

The part suited him: "His person was pleasing, and his address easy, his manner of speaking natural, his action well adapted to the gravity as well as grace of the character.

He was approved by a polite and distinguishing audience, who seemed to congratulate themselves on seeing an actor whom they imagined capable of restoring to the stage the long-lost character of the real fine gentleman".

He sprang into immediate favour, and is said, with Mossop, to have inspired some jealousy in Garrick.In 1753 he appeared in the title role of Thomas Southerne's play Oroonoko.

The cost of the theatre, £2,500, was raised by 25 subscribers paying £100 each and receiving 3% of profits per annum in return, and free entry to all performances.

[1] Foote was somewhat unhappy and sold the lease on the Messrs West, Digges and Bland, who revived the profitability by use of "Mrs Hartley".

However, North Bridge collapsed in August 1769 shortly before the theatre opened, greatly frustrating access to its location.

An unknown friend, subsequently discovered to be Admiral Samuel Barrington, made him an annual present of £60, which was continued until his death.

[1] John Joseph Knight wrote: "He was a good actor, his great success being 'in tragic characters of the mixed passions'.