biografía de Joseph Leathley Sr. COWELL (1792-1863)

Lugar de nacimiento: near Torquay (England)

Lugar de defunción: London

Direcciones: In U.S.: living in Boston, 1829; New Orleans, LA active 1837-38

Profesión: Portrait painter, actor, author

Exposiciones: NAD (1829, several English landscapes and marine views); PAFA (1828, English landscapes and marine views)

Comentarios: Took up portrait painting after several years with the British Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, but gave it up for the stage in 1812, making his debut in NYC. Returning to England, he worked there until 1821 as an actor and scene-painter in London and the North Country. He returned in 1821 to America, where he remained almost until the end of his life. He had a successful career in low comedy, and played in New Orleans, Charleston, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Boston, and NYC. His autobiography, Thirty Years of Theatrical Life, was published in 1844. One of his sons, Joseph, was a scene-painter, but died young.

Fuentes: G&W; DNB; Cowdrey, NAD; Rutledge, PA.