Mowatt, Anna Cora (1819–1870)

French-born actor and playwright. The daughter of a well-to-do US merchant, she was born in Bordeaux, France, and moved to the USA at the age of seven. She started out as a playwright, and her social satire, Fashion, was a success in 1845. Despite earlier ill health, she then became an actor, debuting as Pauline in The Lady of Lyons. She later formed her own company, which travelled to London.