Master Grossmith

William Robert Grossmith, also known as Master Grossmith (1818–1899), was a 19th-century child actor, the eldest son of William Grossmith, who then established a second career as a maker of prosthetic limbs.

William Robert Grossmith
Born1818 (1818)
Reading, England
Died1899 (aged 80–81)
Occupation(s)Actor and prosthetic Limb manufacturer

Career

Grossmith was known as the 'Infant Roscius' or 'Young Roscius' as he began acting at a very young age. In 1825 a pamphlet was published publicising this prodigy child actor with the title The Life of the Celebrated Infant Roscius, Master Grossmith of Reading, Berks, only seven years and a quarter Old.[1] Another, retitled to not yet nine years of age, was published in 1827.[2][3]

He also made appearances with a younger sibling, Master B Grossmith.[4] After retiring from the stage he made a second career out of prosthetic limb manufacture.[5] In fact, so well-respected were William Grossmith' products that in 1856 he published a book on the subject: Amputations and Artificial Limbs (or Grossmith on Amputations, Artificial Legs, Hands &c.)[6][7]

Legacy
An artificial left arm made by W. R. Grossmith.

A painting of Grossmith as Richard in William Shakespeare's Richard III by G. Hancock is in the Victoria and Albert Museum.[8] A print of Grossmith as a child is in the British Museum collection.[9]

Artificial limbs made by Grossmith in his later career are held in the Science Museum.[10]

References
  1. E. C. B (1825). The Life of the Celebrated Infant Roscius Master Grossmith of Reading, Berks, Only Seven Years and a Quarter Old. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  2. The Life and Theatrical Excursions of William Robert Grossmith the juvenile actor, not yet 9 years of age. M Cowslade & Co. 1827.
  3. "Child prodigy actor prepares to retire as he headlines in Stockton". BBC. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  4. "Master Grossmith". britishmuseum.org. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  5. "Artificial Limb". Science Museum. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  6. "A London Family". A London Family. April 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  7. Grossmith, William Robert (1857). Amputations and Artificial Limbs. London. Retrieved 31 December 2019.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. "William Robert Goldsmith". Artuk. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  9. "William Grossmith". British Museum. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  10. "Master Grossmith". Science Museum Group. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
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