PELBY, William, actor, born in Boston, Massachusetts, 16 March, 1793; died there, 28 May, 1850. He made his debut in the Walnut street theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1821, as Macbeth, and subsequently gained reputation as a successful portrayer of Shakespeare's characters. He became manager of the Tremont theatre, Boston, Massachusetts, in 1827, and afterward built the Warren street theatre in that city.--His wife. Rosalie French, actress, born in Kinderhook, New York, 17 March, 1793; died at sea in June, 1857, had little early education, but possessed unusual intellectual gifts and powers of acquisition. She made her debut at the Federal street theatre, Boston, Massachusetts, as a chorus-singer in 1813, rose rapidly to leading parts in melodrama, and became one of the most popular actresses on the American stage. Her first husband was an Englishman named Brown, who died about 1825, and afterward she married Mr. Pelby. In 1847 she sailed for England, but was wrecked, and returned to Boston. She went to California in 1853, established a wax-work manufactory, and subsequently an exhibition, which proved successful. She died on her way from San Francisco to New York.