LACY

lacy, harriette deborah (1807-1874), english actress, was born in london, the daughter of a tradesman named taylor. her first appearance on the stage was at bath in 1827 as julia in _the rivals_, and she was immediately given leading parts there in both comedy and tragedy. her first london appearance was in 1830 as nina, in dimond's _carnival of naples_. her rosalind, aspatia (to macready's melantius) in _the bridal_, and lady teazle to the charles surface of walter lacy (1809-1898)--to whom she was married in 1839--confirmed her position and popularity. she was the original helen in _the hunchback_ (1832), and also created nell gwynne in jerrold's play of that name, and the heroine in his _housekeeper_. she was considered the first ophelia of her day. she retired in 1848.