Garrick, David. English actor, son of a captain in the army. Was born in Hereford in 1717. Went to London with Dr. Johnson in 1736 to study law. On the death of his father, however, Garrick joined his brother, a wine merchant, but soon decided to go on the stage. He made his first appearance under the name of Lyddal at Ipswich in 1741, and soon after played "Richard" with marked success. In 1742 he went to Dublin. In 1747 he became joint patentee of Drury Lane. Two years later, he married Mademoiselle Violette. He acted at Drury Lane until 1776. Garrick died in 1779, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.