Susanna Centlivre

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SC was a versatile professional writer of the early eighteenth century, who used many genres (poetry, letters, possibly journalism), but whose fame rests on her comedies. Of fourteen of these (including adaptations), several held their place in the repertory for a century or more.
  • BirthName: Susanna Freeman
  • Married: Rawkins
    It is still not certain whether or not SC was ever Mrs Rawkins, Mrs Ustick, or Mrs Fox. She did not, in any case, bear any of these names for long.
    ; Ustick; Fox; Carroll; Centlivre
  • Pseudonyms: Astraea
    Bowyer, John Wilson. The Celebrated Mrs Centlivre. Duke University Press, 1952.
    10
    ; Mrs. D. E.
    Bowyer, John Wilson. The Celebrated Mrs Centlivre. Duke University Press, 1952.
    32-3
    ; The Author of The Gamester
  • Indexed: Mrs C—ll
Oval mezzotint of Susanna Centlivre by Peter Pelham, after D. Fermin, 1720. She gazes out of the picture to her right, wearing her hair brushed back in soft curls, with a lock falling on her shoulder. Her gown has a deep neckline with some white linen visible. National Portrait Gallery.

Milestones

Shortly before 20 November 1669

Susanna Freeman (later SC ) was, probably, born at this time at Whaplode in Lincolnshire.
Feminist Companion Archive.
Lock, F. P. Susanna Centlivre. Twayne, 1979.
17

12 May 1709

SC achieved her most enduring hit when her next comedy, The Busie Body, opened.
Bowyer, John Wilson. The Celebrated Mrs Centlivre. Duke University Press, 1952.
94

1 December 1723

SC died in London.
Bowyer, John Wilson. The Celebrated Mrs Centlivre. Duke University Press, 1952.
244

Biography

Birth and Family

Shortly before 20 November 1669

Susanna Freeman (later SC ) was, probably, born at this time at Whaplode in Lincolnshire.
Feminist Companion Archive.
Lock, F. P. Susanna Centlivre. Twayne, 1979.
17

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