Ellen Terry.

Born 27 Feb 1847 Coventry, United Kingdom

Died 21 Jul 1928 Small Hythe, United Kingdom

Citizenship United Kingdom

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Apr 24, 2026

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TL;DR

Ellen Terry, born in 1847, debuted onstage at age 8 before Queen Victoria. She played a landmark Portia in The Merchant of Venice in 1875 and performed opposite Henry Irving for decades. In 1925, she was awarded the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire. She died in 1928 at age 81.

Identity & family.

KIN · 10

Names, aliases, and relatives of Ellen Terry — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Aliases Dame Ellen Terry, Ethel Terry

PARENTS: Sarah Ballard Benjamin Terry
SPOUSES: James Carew Charles Wardell Kelly George Frederick Watts
CHILDREN: Edith Craig Edward Gordon Craig
SIBLINGS: Kate Terry Marion Terry Fred Terry

At a glance.

STATS

Ellen Terry by the numbers — life, work, and family.

81 Years lived

1 Award

3 Marriages

2 Children

Who was Ellen Terry?

BIOGRAPHY

Ellen Terry — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

At age 8 in 1856, Ellen Terry made her stage debut before an audience that included Queen Victoria, but her theatrical lineage began in 1847 when she was born in Coventry, Warwickshire, into a family of strolling players. Her parents, Sarah Ballard and Benjamin Terry, were actors, and all six of her surviving siblings—including Kate, Marion, and Fred—also took to the stage. By age 11, she had already played a dozen roles, including Puck.

Career

At age 8 in 1856, Ellen Terry made her stage debut before an audience that included Queen Victoria. After showing early brilliance, she played An American Cousin at 16—a year before the famed production overshadowed by Lincoln’s assassination—and then briefly retired. She returned to the stage at 22 and in 1875 delivered a landmark performance as Portia in The Merchant of Venice. For the next three decades, she performed every major Shakespearean role opposite the greatest tragedians of the era, notably Henry Irving at the Lyceum Theatre. After Irving’s death, she began a professional and personal relationship with George Bernard Shaw in 1906. She also made a few silent film appearances from 1916 to 1922.

Personal life

In 1864 at age 17, Ellen Terry married the painter George Frederick Watts, but they separated after a year and divorced in 1877. Her two children, Edith Craig and Edward Gordon Craig, were fathered by architect Edward Godwin, with whom she lived during her marriage to Watts. She later married actor Charles Wardell Kelly in 1877 separated 1885 and James Carew in 1907 separated but not divorced at her death.

Legacy

In 1925, King George V created Ellen Terry a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, the highest honor for an actress of her time. She influenced generations of performers, including her great nephew Sir John Gielgud. Her son Edward Gordon Craig became a pioneering theatre designer. After a long illness, she died at her home in Smallhythe Place, Kent, in 1928; her ashes rest in The Actors Church, St. Paul’s, Covent Garden.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 1

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Ellen Terry — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 5

A wall of memorable lines from Ellen Terry — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Conceit Is an Insuperable Obstacle to All Progress.
Eulogy Is Nice, but One Does Not Learn Anything from It.
If It Is the Mark of the Artist to Love Art Before Everything, to Renounce Everything for Its Sake, to Think All the Sweet Human Things of Life Well Lost If Only He May Attain Something, Do Some Good, Great Work Then I Was Never an Artist.
Imagination, Industry, and Intelligence the Three I’s Are All Indispensable to the Actress, but of These Three the Greatest Is, Without Doubt, Imagination.
No Amount of Skill on the Part of the Actress Can Make up for the Loss of Youth.

Did you know?

FACTS · 11

Little-known facts about Ellen Terry — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Great aunt of John Gielgud.
She was awarded the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire GBE in the 1925 King’s New Year Honours List for her services to drama.
Although married to George Frederick Watts, her children Edith Craig and Edward Gordon Craig were fathered by architect Edward Godwin, who deserted them. Terry and Watts separated a year after marriage but did not divorce until 1877.
Several obituaries at the time of Terry’s death mention a film appearance in Land of Hope and Glory 1927, but most trustworthy evidence suggests this is an error, likely confusion with actress Ellaline Terriss.
She refused to accompany friend Charles Frohman from America to England aboard the British liner Lusitania, sailing the next day on the neutral American ship New York, thus surviving the disaster.
Son Edward Gordon Craig acted with Henry Irving’s Lyceum company from 1885-1897, then turned to scene design and founded the Gordon Craig School for the Art of the Theatre in Florence in 1913.
She was the third of 11 children; two died in infancy.
Her ashes rest in The Actors Church, St. Paul’s, Covent Garden in the silver funeral casket on the South Wall.
Grandmother of Edward Carrick.
Aunt of stage actor, film director and producer Herbert Mason.
A blue plaque on the house where she lived in Earls Court commemorates her, while one in Cowley Street, Westminster commemorates her great nephew Sir John Gielgud.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 31

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Ellen Terry.

What is Ellen Terry's date of birth?

Ellen Terry was born on February 27, 1847. She was born in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, into a theatrical family.
Where was Ellen Terry born?

Ellen Terry was born in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, UK. Her family were strolling players, and she grew up immersed in theatre.
When did Ellen Terry die?

Ellen Terry died on July 21, 1928. She was 81 years old at the time of her death.
How old was Ellen Terry when she died?

Ellen Terry was 81 years old when she died. She passed away on July 21, 1928 at her home in Small Hythe, Kent.
Where did Ellen Terry die?

Ellen Terry died at her home in Small Hythe, Kent, England, UK. The house, called Smallhythe Place, is located in Tenterden.
What was the cause of Ellen Terry's death?

Ellen Terry died from a stroke combined with a heart attack. She had suffered a long illness before her death on July 21, 1928.
What was Ellen Terry's occupation?

Ellen Terry was a professional actor, primarily known for her stage performances. She was one of the leading Shakespearean actresses of her time.
What nationality was Ellen Terry?

Ellen Terry was British. She was born in England and spent most of her career performing in London and touring internationally.
Who were Ellen Terry's parents?

Ellen Terry’s parents were Sarah Ballard and Benjamin Terry, both actors. Her father was a strolling player, and her mother came from a theatrical family.
Who were Ellen Terry's spouses?

Ellen Terry was married three times: to painter George Frederick Watts from 1864 to 1877, to actor Charles Wardell Kelly from 1877 to 1885, and to actor James Carew from 1907 until her death in 1928.
Did Ellen Terry have children?

Yes, Ellen Terry had two children: Edith Craig born 1869 and Edward Gordon Craig born 1872. Both were fathered by architect Edward Godwin.
Who were Ellen Terry's siblings?

Ellen Terry had three notable siblings who also became actors: Kate Terry, Marion Terry, and Fred Terry. She was the third of eleven children, though two died in infancy.
What major award did Ellen Terry receive?

Ellen Terry received the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in the 1925 King’s New Year Honours List. This was a rare honor for an actress.
Why was Ellen Terry also known as Dame Ellen Terry?

Ellen Terry was created a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in 1925, so she was often referred to as Dame Ellen Terry after that honor.
Did Ellen Terry use any other stage names?

Yes, Ellen Terry sometimes used the alias Ethel Terry, though the context for this is not well documented.
What was Ellen Terry known for as an actress?

Ellen Terry was known for her Shakespearean roles, especially her landmark performance as Portia in The Merchant of Venice in 1875. She also had a long association with Henry Irving and later collaborated with George Bernard Shaw.
Was Ellen Terry married?

Yes, Ellen Terry was married three times. Her husbands were George Frederick Watts, Charles Wardell Kelly, and James Carew. She separated from each but did not divorce Watts until 1877.
Who were Ellen Terry's relatives?

Ellen Terry was the great aunt of actor Sir John Gielgud. Her grandson was Edward Carrick, and her nephew was stage actor, film director and producer Herbert Mason.
At what age did Ellen Terry make her stage debut?

Ellen Terry made her stage debut at the age of 8 in 1856. She performed before an audience that included Queen Victoria.
Before which monarch did Ellen Terry perform as a child?

Ellen Terry performed before Queen Victoria during her stage debut in 1856. She was 8 years old at the time.
What was Ellen Terry's landmark Shakespearean role in 1875?

In 1875, Ellen Terry played a landmark Portia in The Merchant of Venice. This performance is considered a highlight of her career.
Who was Ellen Terry's long-time theatrical partner?

Ellen Terry had a long professional association with the actor-manager Henry Irving. They performed together for decades at the Lyceum Theatre in London.
Which playwright did Ellen Terry collaborate with later in her career?

After Henry Irving’s death in 1905, Ellen Terry began a professional and personal relationship with George Bernard Shaw. They collaborated on various theatrical projects.
Did Ellen Terry appear in films?

Yes, Ellen Terry made a few silent film appearances between 1916 and 1922. She was coaxed into film but is primarily remembered for her stage work.
What was the name of Ellen Terry's famous son?

Ellen Terry’s son was Edward Gordon Craig, who became a pioneering theatre designer and director. He acted with Henry Irving’s company before turning to design.
Who was the father of Ellen Terry's children?

The father of Ellen Terry’s children, Edith Craig and Edward Gordon Craig, was the architect Edward Godwin. He lived with Terry during part of her marriage to George Frederick Watts.
Did Ellen Terry survive the sinking of the Lusitania?

Yes, Ellen Terry survived the Lusitania disaster because she refused to sail on that ship. She instead booked passage on a neutral American vessel, the New York, departing the next day.
Where are Ellen Terry's ashes interred?

Ellen Terry’s ashes rest in The Actors Church, St. Paul’s, Covent Garden in London. They are kept in the silver funeral casket on the South Wall.
Is there a blue plaque for Ellen Terry?

Yes, a blue plaque commemorates Ellen Terry on the house where she lived in Earls Court, London. Another blue plaque in Cowley Street, Westminster honors her great nephew Sir John Gielgud.
What was Ellen Terry's relationship to John Gielgud?

Ellen Terry was the great aunt of Sir John Gielgud. Gielgud became a leading actor of the 20th century, and Ellen Terry influenced his career.
Did Ellen Terry have any grandchildren?

Yes, Edward Gordon Craig had a son named Edward Carrick, who was Ellen Terry’s grandson. Edward Carrick was a film editor and art director.

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If something's wrong in a profile, Daniel will find it. With 7 years of research experience, he's developed an almost unreasonable eye for inaccurate career timelines, misattributed credits, and dates that don't quite add up. He doesn't publish anything he can't verify. The profiles on Famousy are as accurate as they are largely because of work you'll never see his name on.

Published on April 24, 2026

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