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.