Wilson Barrett (18 February 1846 – 22 September 1904) was an English manager, actor, and playwright.
With his company, Barrett is credited with attracting the largest crowds of English theatregoers ever because of his success with melodrama, an instance being his production of The Silver King (1882) at the Princess's Theatre of London.
The historical tragedy The Sign of the Cross (1895) was Barrett's most successful play, both in England and in the United States.
Famous quotes containing the words wilson and/or barrett:
“He was no specialist except in the relation of things.... He took most of his materials at second hand.... But no matter who mined the gold, the image and superscription are his.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)
“We all have known
Good critics, who have stamped out poet’s hopes;
Good statesmen, who pulled ruin on the state;
Good patriots, who, for a theory, risked a cause;
Good kings, who disembowelled for a tax;
Good Popes, who brought all good to jeopardy;
Good Christians, who sat still in easy-chairs;
And damned the general world for standing up.—
Now, may the good God pardon all good men!”
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861)