HARRIGAN

harrigan, edward (1845- ), american actor, was born in new york of irish parents on the 26th of october 1845. he made his first appearance in san francisco in 1867, and soon afterwards formed a stage partnership with tony hart, whose real name was anthony cannon. as "harrigan and hart," they had a great success in the presentation of types of low life in new york. beginning as simple sketches, these were gradually worked up into plays, with occasional songs, set to popular music by david braham. the titles of these plays indicate their character, _the mulligan guards_, _squatter sovereignty_, _a leather patch_, _the o'regans_. the partnership with hart lasted from 1871-1884. subsequently harrigan played in different cities of the united states, one of his favourite parts being george coggswell in _old lavender_.