A tale of murder, comedy and tragedy: the riotous story of the one-legged superstar of Georgian London.
Mr Foote's Other Leg
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Review
'Kelly's perceptive wit, and interest in his densely theatrical material, makes him an ideal biographer for this pint-size peacock . . . Foote's imprint deserved uncovering.' Sunday Telegraph
'[In this] uproarious account of Foote's career . . . Kelly handles theatrical rumour and apocrypha with great care' Guardian
'Ian Kelly, an actor and writer, has found a perfect subject in this larger-than-life theatrical phenomenon . . . [he] is a charming and knowledgeable guide' Literary Review
'Ian Kelly's splendid biography . . . [is a] thrilling piece of literary archeology' Scotsman
'I thought this was an exceptionally entertaining book about an extraordinary man. Foote was clearly an extraordinary character even by the standards of Georgian London and one cannot help but feel that if he had not actually existed it would have been necessary to invent him. Kelly gives us a vivid and graphic portrayal of this one-legged satirical genius and the dangerous and compelling world that he inhabited, from the court to debtors' gaol. Highly recommended.' Catharine Arnold, author of Bedlam: London and its Mad
‘Dazzling . . . Kelly is a master at recreating atmosphere and making the reader feel he is living alongside the book’s subject’ Daily Express
'[In this] uproarious account of Foote's career . . . Kelly handles theatrical rumour and apocrypha with great care' Guardian
'Ian Kelly, an actor and writer, has found a perfect subject in this larger-than-life theatrical phenomenon . . . [he] is a charming and knowledgeable guide' Literary Review
'Ian Kelly's splendid biography . . . [is a] thrilling piece of literary archeology' Scotsman
'I thought this was an exceptionally entertaining book about an extraordinary man. Foote was clearly an extraordinary character even by the standards of Georgian London and one cannot help but feel that if he had not actually existed it would have been necessary to invent him. Kelly gives us a vivid and graphic portrayal of this one-legged satirical genius and the dangerous and compelling world that he inhabited, from the court to debtors' gaol. Highly recommended.' Catharine Arnold, author of Bedlam: London and its Mad
‘Dazzling . . . Kelly is a master at recreating atmosphere and making the reader feel he is living alongside the book’s subject’ Daily Express
Book Description
In 1776 Foote’s was the most talked-of name in the English-speaking world. By 1777 it was almost unmentionable. Samuel Foote, friend of David Garrick and Dr Johnson, is the greatest lost figure of the eighteenth century; his story defies belief and has only been forgotten for reasons both laughable and shocking. Foote’s rise to fame was based on three unrelated accidents: his extraordinary gifts as an impressionist, a murder within his family which he turned into a true-crime bestseller, and the loss of his leg after a disastrous practical joke. Out of this was born the most singular career in stage history. He flouted convention in transvestite roles, evaded the censors by selling his scurrilous satires as ‘Tea Parties’, wrote a series of plays for one-legged actors – accordingly not much revived – and established London’s Theatre Royal, Haymarket. Then came two scandalous trials that rocked Georgian high society. Trials of such magnitude they kept America’s Declaration of Independence from the front pages of the London papers. In a unique conflation of biography and social and medical history, award-winning historian Ian Kelly uncovers the hidden world of ‘the Hogarth of the stage’. From Sheridan to Dickens to Dudley Moore, Foote’s influence continues, but Mr Foote’s Other Leg is not just a tragicomic tale of this Oscar Wilde of the eighteenth century, it is also the story of the first media storm, the first true-crime bestseller, the first victim of celebrity culture, and a joyous hop around the mad theatre of London life – high and low.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By David1887
Format:Hardcover
Ian Kelly makes it clear from the outset that Samuel Foote is not name most are familiar with. He then spends the rest of the book posing an eloquent and highly entertaining argument as to why we should familiarise ourselves with both his name and the fascinating context in which he became both most celebrated and, subsequently, reviled man of his era.
The pace of the book is breath-taking. Kelly packs in a huge amount of detail, supported by some sumptuous illustrations, and a stomach-churning descriptions of the amputation of Foote's 'other leg'.
The read is a sumptuous romp. Highly recommended!
The pace of the book is breath-taking. Kelly packs in a huge amount of detail, supported by some sumptuous illustrations, and a stomach-churning descriptions of the amputation of Foote's 'other leg'.
The read is a sumptuous romp. Highly recommended!
By Keen Reader
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
I came across a review of this book on the website of the BBC History Magazine, and thought it sounded a very intriguing book. So I looked it out to read.
Samuel Foote was born probably in 1720 in Cornwall, the youngest of three boys in his family. His mother came from a well-to-do family of some lineage, but the family were for a very long time embroiled in court cases over inheritances and property. Sam's mother and her two brothers were no different, and Sam's first chance at some fame (or infamy) came in 1741 when one of his uncles was killed. The ensuing scandal and trial were utilised by Sam in writing of the events, and this helped him to get himself free of debtor's prison - the first time. Already, Sam's life was taking twists and turn unusual even in the rather rarefied atmosphere of Georgian London. Sam was clearly a character, and was well-known about town - friends with such as Samuel Johnson, Joshua Reynolds, David Garrick. His wit and gregarious nature seems, right from the start, to have won him friends and influenced people.
Foote's next foray towards fame and fortune took him on to the stage. From there, we follow Foote's often eccentric and even rather bizzare public and private life. Along the way, we read of the Georgian staff and theatre, of eighteenth century sexual proclivities and their reception amongst Society, and the horrors of eighteenth century amputations, amongst other items of wonder and delight. Foote's rise amongst the wits, his run in the theatre and amongst well-known Society, and his scandalous fall are laid out for the reader with frank openness. Sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, often sad, Foote's life seems to have been a most unusual one, even for his times. This book is well written, very engaging to read, and offers a glimpse into the type of life most of us would never have dreamed could have existed. Highly recommended.
Samuel Foote was born probably in 1720 in Cornwall, the youngest of three boys in his family. His mother came from a well-to-do family of some lineage, but the family were for a very long time embroiled in court cases over inheritances and property. Sam's mother and her two brothers were no different, and Sam's first chance at some fame (or infamy) came in 1741 when one of his uncles was killed. The ensuing scandal and trial were utilised by Sam in writing of the events, and this helped him to get himself free of debtor's prison - the first time. Already, Sam's life was taking twists and turn unusual even in the rather rarefied atmosphere of Georgian London. Sam was clearly a character, and was well-known about town - friends with such as Samuel Johnson, Joshua Reynolds, David Garrick. His wit and gregarious nature seems, right from the start, to have won him friends and influenced people.
Foote's next foray towards fame and fortune took him on to the stage. From there, we follow Foote's often eccentric and even rather bizzare public and private life. Along the way, we read of the Georgian staff and theatre, of eighteenth century sexual proclivities and their reception amongst Society, and the horrors of eighteenth century amputations, amongst other items of wonder and delight. Foote's rise amongst the wits, his run in the theatre and amongst well-known Society, and his scandalous fall are laid out for the reader with frank openness. Sometimes funny, sometimes shocking, often sad, Foote's life seems to have been a most unusual one, even for his times. This book is well written, very engaging to read, and offers a glimpse into the type of life most of us would never have dreamed could have existed. Highly recommended.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Neville
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well written in an easy to read style. Subject was absorbing and at times amusing. A great insight into the time and events of the era. A really good read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
The style is ponderous, interspersed with jarring colloquialisms, and at nearly 400 pages the book is 200 pages too long. No alleyway is left unexplored, no stone unturned. Read more
Published 14 days ago by David Gladwell
2.0 out of 5 stars
I've done the research so I'll use it.
Even if you dear reader are beaten to death with it. Foote was probably the first celebrity with a notorious reputation and a wicked sense of humour. Read more
Published 1 month ago by David Slater
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Fascinating Mr Foote
This is a truly absorbing read. Samuel Foote - one-legged comedy superstar of Georgian theatre, best-selling crime author, transvestite, friend of Garrick and Dr Johnson, jailbird... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Miss Cupcake
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mr.Foote's Other Leg
This book was recommended to me by a friend as I have been doing detailed research into the Delaval Family and Sam Foote was a friend of the family. Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. Reid
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seriously funny: hilariously erudite
A book for your (singular) Christmas stocking. Like Foote's prosthesis it's an absolute corker. Achingly amusing,constantly entertaining,meticulously researched, packed with fact,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Donald Bain
4.0 out of 5 stars
All you want to know about theatre in the age of Garrick, and never...
This is a book vibrant with facts newly revealed by energetic scholastic archaeology; but it is not for the faint hearted:"Mr Foote's Other Leg" was amputated on a table in... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Anthony M. Godley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting on so many counts!
This is a fascinating book, intensely well written and admirably researched. Samuel Foote [I had never heard of him] was a friend and colleague of David Garrick, but while Garrick... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sarah
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating Topic Poorly Served
Samuel Foote was quite a guy but, despite obviously prodigious research, Ian Kelly fails to bring him fully to life. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Kelly Monaghan
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