First theatre actor to be knighted

Henry Irving (UK, 1838-1905) was knighted in May 1895. Making his London stage debut in 1866 in The Belles Strategem, he scored his greatest triumph at the Lyceum, London, UK,  in November 1871 as a guilt stricken Alsatian burgomaster in The Bells: a role he was to perform over 800 times. He took over as manager of the Lyceum in 1878 and introduced the blackout during which scenery could be changed unseen by the audience. He died penniless having earned over £2 million during his career.