About West Digges
Lived 1720 – 1786 (aged 65–66). West Digges was a British actor, stage actor and singer.
West Digges (1720–1786) was an English actor who made his first stage appearance in Dublin in 1749 as Jaffier in Venice Preserv'd; and both there and in Edinburgh until 1764 he acted in many tragic roles with success. He was the original "young Norval" in John Home's Douglas. His first London appearance was as Cato at the Haymarket Theatre in 1777, and he afterwards played King Lear, Macbeth, Shylock and Wolsey.
He was a friend and associate of James Boswell who much admired him.
He created the title role in the opera The Baron Kinkvervankotsdorsprakingatchdern. In 1781 he returned to Dublin and retired in 1784.
The actress Fanny Fleming was said to be a granddaughter.
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Important facts
People in West Digges's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was West Digges?
British actor 1720-1786
When was West Digges born?
West Digges was born in 1720.
When did West Digges die?
West Digges died in 1786.
What was West Digges's occupation?
West Digges was an actor, stage actor and singer.
What nationality was West Digges?
West Digges was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). West Digges. https://biography.guide/west-digges/
MLA: "West Digges." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/west-digges/.
Chicago: "West Digges." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/west-digges/.
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