Richard Ryan, Biographia Hibernica: Irish Worthies, Vol.II [of 2] (London & Dublin 1821) - ""

A CELEBRATED comedian, was descended from an illustrious Irish family, and born at Rathfarnham, near Dublin, in 1670, where he received a genteel education. He wrote a masterly hand, and with such surprising celerity, that his genius recommended him to Secretary Southwell, who received him into his office as a clerk at eighteen yean of age: and in this capacity he remained till after the battle of the Boyne, which completed the Revolution. His first inclination for the stage is attributed to the following circumstance: He happened to lodge near Mr. Richard, then an actor on the Dublin stage: and, being intimate with him, used to hold the book while Richards was studying, to observe whether he was perfect in his part. Mr. Wilks used to read the introductory speeches with so {631} much propriety, emphasis, and cadence, that the encomiums bestowed on him by his friend began to fire his mind for the drama; and another accidental circumstance confirmed him in the intention of directing his abilities to the stage. Upon that happy and unexpected turn of affairs produced by the battle of the Boyne, the people of Dublin, among other expressions of joy, determined on a play; but the actors having been dispersed during the war, some private persons agreed to give one gratis, at the theatre, in the best manner they were able. With very little persuasion, Mr. Wilks ventured to represent the Colonel, (Spanish Friar,) at Mr. Ashbury’s theatre, where the approbation he received from that great master, operated so strongly on him, that he quitted his post, to a person who afterwards raised a fortune of £50,000 in it, and commenced player. The first character Wilks appeared in, on the public theatre, was that of Othello, which he performed to the approbation of every one but himself. He went on with great success at Dublin for two years, when his friend, Richards, advised him to try his fortune in England, [...]

He established his reputation by the part of Sir Harry Wildair, in which the vivacity of his performance was so proportionably extravagant to the character, as drawn by the author, that he was received in it with universal and deserved applause. As long as he trod the stage, he continued the unrivalled fine gentleman, and by the elegance of his address captivated the hearts of his audience to the very last. But, while his excellence in comedy was never once disputed, he was equally master of that dignity requisite in tragedy; and was as highly extolled, by the best judges, in the different parts of Hamlet; Castalio, (Orphan); Ziphares, (Mithridates); Edgar, (Lear); Piercy, (Anna Boleyn); Norfolk, (Albion Queens); the Earl of Essex; Shore; Macduff; Moneses, (Tamerlane); and Jaffier, (Venice Preserved, In 1714, he lost his wife, and con-{634}tinued a widower seven years; but then married Mrs. Fell, the relict of Charles Fell, Esq. of an ancient family in Lancashire, who survived him. This celebrated actor died the 27th of September, 1732, and was interred in the church-yard of St. Paul’s, Covent Garden, where a monument was put over him by his widow. By his own request he was buried at midnight, to avoid ostentation; yet this peculiar honour was paid to his memory, that the gentlemen of the choir belonging to the royal chapel came voluntarily and performed an anthem, prepared for the solemn occasion. lie was always the first proposer of any joint charity from the theatrical stock; and tears were often seen in his eyes at the relation of any misfortune that befel others. When the unhappy Mr. Farquhar died, Wilks took care to bury him decently at St. Martin’s in the Fields, and also provided for his orphan daughters, whom he placed out as mantua-makers, and to the last gave them several benefit-plays; by which constant stream of bounty, he raised them above want; so that, in losing him, they lost another parent.