Thomas Manders

He was originally intended for a commercial life, and for that purpose joined the Bank of England in 1814 but was pensioned off in 1821 when his office was abolished by the withdrawal of one-pound notes.

A keen theatre-goer, he attended performances most evenings after work and having tried his hand as an amateur actor on numerous occasions decided to turn professional in 1822.

[2][3] Manders went into management with John Kemble Chapman at the City Theatre where he became a great success playing the low comedy roles.

At the Queen's Theatre he played Sam Slap in The Rake's Progress (1833)[4] and Sarah Gamp in Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) in a production authorised by Charles Dickens.

[1] His wife, Louisa Manders, suffered several accidents during her long career as an actress, including a fall from the flies at Sadler's Wells Theatre in 1834.

Tom Manders in about 1838
As Sam Slap in The Rake's Progress (1833)
The grave of Thomas Manders in Brookwood Cemetery