Reynolds, Sir Joshua (school of) British (1723-1792) "PORTRAIT OF PEG WOFFINGTON" oil on canvas, framed unsigned H30" W25" *Note: Margaret 'Peg' Woffington was an outstanding 18th century actress and personality. She was born in Dublin and began her career as a street singer. At age ten she made her stage debut in a juvenile production of "THE BEGGARS OPERA." She made her name in Ireland as Ophelia in a 1737 production of Hamlet and then moved to London in 1740. One of her most celebrated roles was as Sir Henry Wilder at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. She caused quite a stir in this part by wearing breeches, unheard of for a woman in the 18th century. In 1744 she moved to Teddington, into a house known as Teddington Place; she continued to work as an actress, and it was there in Teddington that she converted a large barn into a temporary theater..