William Brereton (actor)

He was a member of the company of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane for eighteen years, under the management of David Garrick and subsequently Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

He was born in Bath, the son of William Brereton who was master of ceremonies in the spa town.

He made his Drury Lane debut in the title role of Douglas by John Home in 1768.

Weakened by alcoholism and mental instability, he died in an asylum in Hoxton in 1787.

He was said to have had an unrequited passion for Sarah Siddons which contributed to his mental decline.