It just wasn’t done. Not in the Georgian Era. And yet, Sarah Siddons did it anyway. Sometimes you stumble upon a woman in history that must be known. Maybe she’s almost forgotten, maybe she’s underestimated or misunderstood. The more I learned about Sarah Siddons, the more I wished everyone knew about her.
Known as one of the greatest actresses of the Georgian era, and some say of all time, her methods and interpretations of the characters she portrayed are referenced still today. She is most particularly known for her portrayal of Lady Macbeth.
I have been writing in the Georgian era for around ten years now, most particularly during the Regency times in England. And I am astounded at what she accomplished.
How many women were the sole breadwinners of their family?
How many actresses lived wholesome family lives?
How many performed on London stages to crowds that shouted their name, had the equivalent of Paparazzi following them around, had multiple portraits painted of themselves and displayed in renowned galleries? She was just a paragon, unique for her time, or any time, and maintained an integrity and truth to her family and her own personal values that is unmatched.
Her story is sad. But it is also joyful.
Just as you and I.
And as you read, I hope you can recognize in her what each of us must do to keep going when things are difficult. I hope you can see the same spirit in her that we rally in ourselves to do what needs to be done, to stay true to ourselves, to chase our dreams and to keep everything together for our loved ones.
It is most remarkable to see this same determination and love and fire during a time period when every effort she would have made to keep going would be met by opposition. It just wasn’t done. And she did it anyway.
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