Ada Cavendish (1847 – 5 October 1895) was an English actress known for her Shakespearean roles and for popularising the plays of Wilkie Collins in America.

Life

After her stage debut in April 1863, Cavendish became known for playing such Shakespearean heroines as Juliet, Beatrice and Rosalind. She also famously played the title role of Miss Gwilt in the stage adaptation of Armadale and Mercy Merrick in The New Magdalen, both by Wilkie Collins.

Performances

This list is derived from the ODNB unless otherwise noted. The ODNB noted that: "During her stage career Ada Cavendish was variously described as a sprightly, fair-haired burlesque actress with good gifts in comedy and serious drama, especially Shakespeare; dignified and refined, she earned many laudatory notices." The York Herald went further: "No actress but Miss Terry or Mrs Bancroft is more poular in London than Miss Cavendish who, if some one could provide her with a powerful play, might increase her reputation."

Family

She married the playwright Francis Albert Marshall at St Edward's Roman Catholic Church, Windsor on 2 May 1885, only 10 weeks after his first wife (Imogene Fitzinman Batty) had died. They had no children but Frank, as he was known, was father to a son and a daughter by his previous marriage. He died 8 Bloomsbury Square, London on 28 December 1889. Ada Cavendish died on 5 October 1895 at her home in Thurloe Square. She was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London. In her will she stated her desire "that the jewels found on her body should be buried with her, and she instructed the executor of her will to pay £10 to a doctor to open one of her veins as she was afraid of being buried alive".