Mary Gannon

Mary Stevenson (; October 8, 1829 – February 22, 1868), known professionally as Mary Gannon, was an American actress who had an active stage career in comedies and vaudeville during the mid 19th century. A gifted comedienne, she became associated with many of the matron roles of 18th and 19th century comedies. Shortly before her death at the age of 39, New York theatre critic Joseph N. Ireland wrote of Gannon, "[she] is now universally acknowledged to be the best general comic actress in the city."

Child actress Born in New York City on October 8, 1829, Gannon was the daughter of Irish immigrants and began her career as a child actress sometime between 1832 and 1835. Some sources claim she made her stage debut in a production of Donizetti's The Daughter of the Regiment in 1835 at the Richmond Hill Theatre in New York; whereas other sources claim she had performed earlier at the Old Bowery Theatre. In addition to these performances, she appeared as a dancer and actress in regional theaters during her early career.

Personal life While engaged at the Olympic she was married to George Stevenson, a lawyer, who died in 1854.