John W. Anson

John W. Anson (31 July 1817 – 6 February 1881) was a British actor, noted for his work for the welfare of actors.

Early career At 20 Anson was a member of the "Garrick Amateur Club" in Cambridge, where he played leading roles. He began his professional career in 1843 at the Theatre Royal, Bath in the play The Wonder by Susanna Centlivre, in the role of Lissardo.

Late in 1847 they played in the Dundee area. While in Montrose in November 1847, John and Barbara Anson's son George W. Anson, who became a notable actor, was born. In 1850 the company moved to Inverness.

Welfare of actors

Anson took a great interest in the welfare of actors who through illness or old age could not continue in their profession. In July 1855 he founded the Dramatic, Equestrian and Musical Sick Fund Association. Its members included, as well as actors, people who worked backstage and front of house in theatres; benefits included financial help when ill, and a modest but decent burial. As a burial site for deceased actors and their relatives he chose the London Necropolis at Woking in Surrey, and in 1857 acquired an acre of ground there, now called the Actors' Acre, for the association.

He played a part in establishing the Royal Dramatic College, a retirement home for actors: this ambitious project, which originated in 1858, was supported by Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray. In 1860, land was purchased from the London Necropolis Company in Woking for the building, and the college was opened a few years later. Anson was Secretary of the college. By 1870 the college was in need of funds, and later closed; the building was sold in 1884.

John Anson died in February 1881; he was buried in the Actors' Acre (Plot 118) at the London Necropolis (Brookwood Cemetery).