Booth, BARTON, a celebrated 18th-century actor, born in 1681, the son of a Lancashire squire, nearly related to the Earl of Warrington. He received a good education at Westminster, and was just about to be sent to Cambridge when he chose a career for himself by becoming an actor. He first offered his services without success to Betterton, then played for two seasons at Dublin. A fresh application to Betterton was more successful, and in 1700 he appeared as Maximus in Valentinian, in Lincoln's Inn Fields, London. He was well received, and became at once a public favourite. In 1708 he appeared in Drury Lane, playing the ghost to the Hamlet of Wilks. In Downes' Roscius Anglicanus (1708), he is described as 'a gentleman of liberal education; of form venust; of mellifluous pronunciation; having proper gesticulations, which are graceful attendants of true elocution; of his time a most complete tragedian.' His performance of Cato in
Addison's tragedy in 1713 brought him to the height of his reputation, and yielded wealth as well as honour. Other great parts were Henry VIII., Othello, Brutus in Julius Caesar, Hotspur in Henry IV., and Lothario in Rowe's Fair Penitent. He died at Hampstead, May 10, 1733.