A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Cibber, Susanna Maria
CIBBER, SUSANNA MARIA,
Who for several years was considered not only the best actress in England, but thought by many superior to the celebrated Mdlle. Clairon, of Paris, was the daughter of an upholsterer of Covent-Garden, and sister to Dr. Thomas Augustin Arne, celebrated for his taste in musical composition. Her first appearance on the stage was as a singer, but either her judgment or ear was not equal to her sweetness of voice. She married, in April, 1734, Theophilus Cibber, who was then a widower. This marriage was not pleasing to Colley Cibber, the father, but he was induced to forgive them. He was then manager of Drury-Lane Theatre, and one day at rehearsal, his son happening to say he hoped young Mrs. Gibber might be brought on in speaking parts, Colley desired her to declaim before him, and was surprised to find such a variety of powers of voice, face, figure, and expression united. She appeared on the stage in 1736, in the character of Zara, in the first representation of Aaron Hill's tragedy. The audience were astonished and delighted, and her reputation as an actress was established.
But her domestic tranquillity did not equal her public success. Her husband was luxurious, prodigal, rapacious, and unscrupulous, and dishonourable in his means of obtaining money. She soon discontinued living with him, and resided entirely with a man on whom Mr. Cibber bestowed the appellation of Mr. Benefit. She retained her beauty and her power of pleasing, as an actress, for a long time. She died January 30th., 1766, and was buried at Westminster; leaving one child by the gentleman with whom she lived.