About James Wrighten
Lived 1745 – 1793 (aged 47–48). James Wrighten was a stage actor.
James Wrighten (b. 1745 – d. 1793) was an English actor. He trained to work as a copperplate printer, but left that occupation for the stage. He moved from Birmingham to London and made his debut at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 21 February 1779. He afterwards acted in numerous roles at the theatre until 1793, beginning work as a prompter in 1786.
Wrighten married prominent actress and singer Mary Ann Wrighten née Matthews in Birmingham in about 1769 and the couple moved to London to work in theatre. They had two daughters, Mary and Charlotte, maintaining a stormy relationship. They divorced in a public scandal that was widely covered in the press, after which Mary Ann Wrighten took her daughters and moved to the United States to pursue a career in theatre there. Wrighten also had a daughter by another marriage. He died in London at the age of 48.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in James Wrighten's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped James Wrighten's
Frequently asked questions
Who was James Wrighten?
British actor
When was James Wrighten born?
James Wrighten was born in 1745.
When did James Wrighten die?
James Wrighten died in 1793.
What was James Wrighten's occupation?
James Wrighten was a stage actor.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Wrighten. https://biography.guide/james-wrighten/
MLA: "James Wrighten." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-wrighten/.
Chicago: "James Wrighten." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-wrighten/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:29 UTC