Sir Henry Irving (6 February 1838 – 13 October 1905), born
John Henry Brodribb, sometimes known as
J.H. Irving was an English stage actor in the
Victorian era, known as an
actor-manager because he took complete responsibility (supervision of sets, lighting, direction, casting, as well as playing the leading roles) for season after season at the
Lyceum Theatre, establishing himself and his company as representative of English classical theatre. He was the first actor to be awarded a
knighthood. Irving is thought to have been the inspiration for the title character in
Bram Stoker's 1897 novel
Dracula.