Harriet Smithson : Short Biography

Harriet Smithson was born on the 18th of March 1800 in Ennis, County Clare. Her father, William Joseph Smithson, was an English man who managed a theatre in Dublin, on Cooke's Lane, just off O'Connell Street. Her mother was an actress, who played a number of minor roles in her husband's theatre. It is little wonder then, that Harriet would be drawn to a life in the theatre herself. 

Harriet's acting career began in Dublin, where she made her debut at the Cron Street Theatre. She then went on to London where she played minor roles in Drury Lane, but never quite landing a leading role. It was in Paris that she would achieve her stardom. She made her Paris debut in 1827 and soon found herself gaining noteriety amongst theatre goers. She famously played Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet on the 11th of September 1827. It would seem that this is when Harriet finally found her niche as an actress. Her performance received wonderful reviews as people praised her portrayal of Ophelia's madness. She then went from strength to strength playing Shakespeare's great leading ladies. Roles such as Juliet and Desdemona won her great acclaim. 

After her success in Paris, Harriet returned to London, this time as a Shakespearean star. After proving herself in London, she went back to Paris once more and established an acting school. Her abilities to capture the essence of a tragic leading lady won her the title of muse, as people were inspired by her talent and her beauty. 

On the 3rd of October 1833, she married a man named Hector Berlioz, a composer who was obsessed with Harriet and pursued her for a number of years, even going so far as to compose a symphony about her. The marriage was not a happy one, with Hector taking a mistress and Harriet eventually moving out of their home, taking their only child with her. 

Harriet died on the 3rd of March 1854. She had been ill for some time, and had been suffering from bouts of paralysis.