A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Clive, Catherine

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CLIVE, CATHERINE,

Daughter of William Rafton, of Ireland, an actress of great merit, was born in 1711. She was quite young when she made her first appearance before the public, and for more than thirty years was considered the best performer, in high or low comedy, on the stage. In 1732, she married George Clive, a lawyer, and brother to Baron Clive; but this union was not a happy one, and they soon agreed to separate, and for the rest of their lives had no intercourse whatever.

Mrs. Clive left the stage in 1768, and retired to a small but elegant house near Strawberry-hill, in Twickenham, where she resided in ease and independence, respected by the world, and surrounded by friends. She died December 6th., 1785.