Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 55.djvu/165

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Sullivan
159
Sullivan

Mr. Timothy Daniel Sullivan, and took up his residence in London. He appeared, however, for the defendants in some important state prosecutions in Dublin during the land league agitation. At the English bar his services as an advocate were also frequently retained. But his health broke down under the double strain of his parliamentary and professional work in 1881, and, to the deep regret of members on both sides of the House of Commons, he was obliged to resign his seat for Meath. Desiring to remain perfectly free to work for Ireland, he declined an appointment as a sub-commissioner under the Land Act of 1881 which was indirectly offered him, and successfully devoted himself to legal practice at the parliamentary bar.

Sullivan died on 17 Oct. 1884 at Dartry Lodge, Rathmines, Dublin, and was interred, amid an impressive demonstration of national grief, in ‘the O'Connell Circle’ of Glasnevin cemetery. He married, in 1861, Frances Genevieve, only surviving daughter of John Donovan of New Orleans, and left several children.

Among Sullivan's publications are:

  1. ‘The Story of Ireland’ (1870), a delightful compendium of Irish history which has still an immense circulation among the Irish people at home and abroad.
  2. ‘New Ireland’ (1877), a series of vivid sketches of Irish life during the past half-century.
  3. ‘A Nutshell History of Ireland,’ 1883.

He was, however, more distinguished as an orator than as a writer; and an interesting collection of his speeches in parliament, on the platform, and at the bar was published in 1884.

[A Memoir of A. M. Sullivan by T. D. Sullivan; O'Connor's Parnell Movement; Sullivan's New Ireland, and the Irish newspapers.]

M. MacD.

SULLIVAN, BARRY (1821–1891), actor, whose full name was Thomas Barry Sullivan, is said to have been born of obscure Irish parentage in Birmingham on the anniversary of Shakespeare's reputed birth, 23 April 1824. The year was more probably 1820, if not earlier. Taken as a child to Cork, he became a draper's assistant there. On the strength of some amateur talent as actor and vocalist, he played at the old theatre in George's Street, for a benefit, Young Meadows in Bickerstaff's ‘Love in a Village.’ On 7 June 1837, also for a benefit, he played at the Theatre Royal the Prompter in Colman's ‘Manager in Distress,’ Charles in the ‘Virginian Mummy’ to the Jim Crow of Rice the American, and Varnish in the farce of ‘Botheration.’ At the same house, 14 June 1837, he was Seyton to Charles Kean's Macbeth, and Tristram Fickle in the ‘Weather-cock.’ Engaged by Frak Seymour, known as Franck Schemer, as leading singing and walking gentleman, he went with him from the Theatre Royal to a small newly erected theatre in Cook Street, but returned in 1840 to George's Street, then under different management. On this house being burnt down he rejoined Seymour at the Victoria Theatre. After playing some secondary parts he went, at Collins's booth, through a round of 'legitimate' characters. In 1841 he supported Ellen Tree (Mrs. Charles Kean) as Prince Frederick in Sheridan's Knowles's 'Love.' He also visited Waterford, Limericck, and other Irish towns, and in Cork played a tenor rôle in 'Fra Diavolo.'

Engaged by William Henry Murray [q. v.], Sullivan left Ireland, and made his first appearance in Edinburgh on 24 Nov. 1841 as Red Rody in Pocock's ‘Robber's Wife.’ His salary was 30s. a week. Bates in the ‘Gamester’ to Charles Kean's Beverley, Gaston in ‘Richelieu,’ Sir F. Vernon in 'Rob Roy,', Sebastian in 'Guy Mannering' were among the parts he played at the Theatre Royal or the Adelphi. After the departure of John Ryder (1814–1885) [q. v.] Sullivan was promoted to the principal heavy parts, playing Drayton in ‘Grandfather Whitehead,’ Antonio in the ‘Merchant of Venice,’ and Beauseant in the ‘Lady of Lyons’. For his farewell benefit 30 May 1844 he was seen as Kirkpatrick in ‘Wallace,’ and Alessandro Massaroni in the ‘Italian Brigand.’ After appearing in Paisley and other Scottish towns, he played leading business at the City Theatre, Glasgow. He then managed for two years (1845–7) the Aberdeen Theatre.

After making at Wakefield his first appearance in England, he accepted an engagement under Robert Roxby [q. v.] at Liverpool, appearing on 7 May 1847 as Sir Edward Mortimer in the ‘Iron Chest.’ This was followed by Jaffier in ‘Venice Preserved.’ He then went to the Amphitheatre, at which house to the close of his career he remained a favourite. On 9 Oct. 1847 he appeared at the Theatre Royal, Manchester, as Stukeley in the ‘Gamester.’ On the 26th he played Hamlet, being, it is said, coached by Charles James Lever [q. v.] After being seen in a round of leading characters, Sullivan quarrelled with Wallack, his manager, harangued the audience, and resigned his engagement, taking his benefit in Claude Melnotte and Petruchio at the Queen's Theatre. From 1 Dec. 1849 to 28 Jan. 1850 he leased the Bolton Theatre, and subsequently supported Macready in his farewell performances at Liverpool. After revisiting Edinburgh, where he played Romeo, Hotspur, Norval, and Fal-