The Dictionary of Australasian Biography/Hoskins, William
Hoskins, William, a well-known actor, was the son of Abraham Hoskins, of Newton Park, Derbyshire, and was born at Norton, in that county, in 1816, and was educated at Cambridge University. Having a fancy for theatricals, he took to the provincial stage in 1834, and was a member of Phelps' company at Sadlers' Wells in 1844. He then played at the Olympic, and went to Australia in 1856, where he was engaged at the Queen's Theatre, Melbourne. He became manager of the Ballarat Theatre in 1858, and of the Theatre Royal, Melbourne, in 1863. He subsequently managed the Haymarket Theatre, Melbourne, and rebuilt the Theatre Royal at Christchurch, N.Z. From 1884 till his death on Sept. 28th, 1886, he was a teacher of elocution in Melbourne. He was thrice married: firstly, in 1850, to Miss Julia Harland, who died in New Zealand; secondly, to Miss Florence Colville; and thirdly, to Miss Bowman.