Garrick, David (1717 -1779)

David Garrick was the third son of Peter Garrick and Arabella Clough. He was educated at Loughborough Grammar School at the same time as Dr Samuel Johnson, whose life long friend he became. Garrick took to the stage at an early age, and became the greatest actor manager of his age, and a successful playwright. He married, 22 June 1749, Eva Marie Violetti (1724 1822) the reputed daughter of a Viennese citizen called Veigel. He bequeathed his large collection of the early English drama to the British Museum. His library, books of prints &c., with modern books added by Mrs Garrick, was dispersed 23 April 1823 in a ten day sale by R. Saunders, and there was a further sale of part of his library by Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge 19 February 1896. The stamp with the arms was cut by the British Museum for use on the Garrick collection there.