Terry

Family of English actors in the 19th century. Benjamin Terry (1818-1896) and Sarah (Ballard) Terry (1817-1892) appeared in London with the actors William Macready and Charles Kean. Their eldest child, Kate Terry (1844-1924), and her daughter Mabel Gwynedd Terry-Lewis (1872-1957) were both actors. Another daughter (also Kate) was the mother of Val and John Gielgud. Two other daughters of Benjamin and Sarah went on the stage: Marion Terry (1852-1930), who was the first Mrs Erlynne in Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan, and Florence Terry (1854-1896). The youngest child, Fred Terry (1863-1933), was a successful romantic lead, who often played opposite his wife Julia Neilson. Their children Phyllis Neilson-Terry (1892-1977) and Dennis Neilson-Terry (1895-1932) were both on the stage, and it was under Phyllis's management that John Gielgud made his first professional appearance. Fred's elder brothers Charles and George were theatre administrators, and Charles's daughters Beatrice and Minnie were actors. The most eminent member of the Terry family, however, was Benjamin and Sarah's second child, Ellen Terry.