History

In the chapel of St Andrew in the north transept of Westminster Abbey is a larger than life-size white marble statue to Sarah Siddons, reputed to be the country’s finest tragic actress. At the height of her career she was the idol of the London stage, her greatest role being Lady Macbeth. The statue, signed by sculptor Thomas Campbell, holds a scroll and the inscription reads:

“Sarah Siddons. Born at Brecon July 5 1755. Died in London June 8 1831”

Sarah was born at the Shoulder of Mutton inn in Brecon in south Wales, one of many children of Roger Kemble (d.1802) actor and theatre manager, and his wife Sarah (Ward). Her brother John Philip Kemble became a well known actor manager (and has a statue near hers in the Abbey). Her marriage to William Siddons was unhappy and only two of her many children survived her. She is buried in St Mary’s churchyard, Paddington.

A photograph of the statue can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.

Further reading for Sarah, her father and several brothers:
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004.