Seymour, Laura |
| ACTOR, HOUSEKEEPER (ENGLAND) |
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BORN 1820 - DIED 27 Sep 1879 GRAVE LOCATION London: St. Mary's Churchyard, Neasden Lane, Willesden (buried with Charles Reade) |
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Laura Seymour was the daughter of a surgeon at Bath. Her father had a good income and the family lived in style. But after his sudden death he left nothing to his family. From an early age Laura started acting. By the time she was fifteen years old she played the part of Juliet. Like her father she spent all the money she earned and at times she was poor. When she was in need of money, a man named Seymour came to her and said he had deposited a thousand pounds for her at the bank. He started courting her and soon afterwards they married. She did not love him but she was grateful to him. In 1849 she met Charles Reade. He had seen her perform and was much impressed by her, unlike the opinion of many others. He read parts of an unknown play to her and she asked him why he would not turn it into a novel. But he did not like novels at all and left quickly. She sent him a letter and five pounds because she thought he was poor. He visited her to return the money and they became friends. Eventually he would write several novels, taking her advice after all. Laura's husband died soon after the meeting. Reade and several friends took a house together and Laura started looking after the practical affairs. Later they moved to a house in Sloane Street together. The precise nature of their relation is unknown and it is possible that it remained platonic. She took care of Reade until her death in 1879. Related persons • lived with Reade, Charles |
| Images | |
 The grave of Charles Reade and Laura Seymour at St. Mary's Churchyard in Willesden, London. Picture by Androom (07 Nov 2025) |
 The grave of Charles Reade and Laura Seymour at St. Mary's Churchyard in Willesden, London. Picture by Androom (07 Nov 2025) |
