A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Volume 9, Kickill to Machin: Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers, and Other Stage Personnel in London, . Dictionary of Actors & Actresses, 1660-1800)

Among the multitude of theater people to appear in Volume 9 is Mrs. Knepp, whose very existence engendered the green-eyed monster, jealousy, in the bosom of Mrs. Samuel Pepys?and with good reason, as Pepys’ diary shows. Mrs. Knepp, a ?most excellent, mad­humoured thing,” left her husband and moved in with the actor Joe Haines. Her death bearing his child elicited this la­ment and tribute from Haines:

 

And Pray let His Matie: too

    understand

How sad I have been in merry

    Scotland

To Loose Mrs: Nep that inchanting

    Dear Lump

That Fountaine of Love so juicy so

    Plump

That delicate Compound of Spiritt &

    Rump

Philip Highfill, Jr., is Professor of En­glish at George Washington University.

 

Kalman A. Burnim is Professor of Drama at Tufts University.

 

Edward A. Langhans is Professor of Drama and Theater at the University of Hawaii.