The Arts In Berwick -- Theatre
Frederick Sheldon

Born the son of a Newcastle cabinet-maker, his real name was William Thompson. He played music for the great clown Billy Purvis' and acted small roles.

In Berwick in 1840 he opened a theatre which soon failed. Turning to writing he published the Minstrelsy of the English Border (1847) and a racy and readable History of Berwick (1849). Always wretchedly poor he died in Stockton aged 34.

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