Mrs. (Catherine) Clive

Born Catherine Raftor in 1711, she became famous as Kitty Clive, a leading actress and singer at Drury Lane Theatre in London. She began performing there around 1728 and quickly won audiences with her comic timing, strong stage presence, and musical talent.

Clive was especially admired in comedy, but her career was broader than that label suggests. She sang in major theatrical works and was associated with important figures of the period, including David Garrick and George Frideric Handel. Her popularity made her one of the standout performers of 18th-century British theatre.

She later lived in Twickenham, near London, and died on December 6, 1785. Remembered as both a gifted comedienne and a major stage personality, she remains an important figure in the history of English performance.