The actress Dorothy Bland became famous in the late 18th century for her comic stage performances. Also known as Mrs Jordan, she later achieved notoriety for her relationship with the future King William IV. She is commemorated with a blue plaque at 30 Cadogan Place in Chelsea, where she lived in 1812–5. 

STAGE CAREER

Born in Ireland, Dorothy began her acting career in 1779 in Dublin and developed a reputation for playing ‘breeches’ parts. In 1782, under the stage name of Mrs Jordan, she came to England, where her talents began to be fully recognised. She entered the limelight three years later with her engagement at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Over the course of her career, Mrs Jordan played a number of roles, but her forte was comedy. William Hazlitt said that

Her face, her tears, her manners were irresistible. Her smile had the effect of sunshine, and her laugh did one good to hear it.

ROYAL LIAISONS

Jordan’s domestic life was notorious: after several liaisons, she became in 1790 the mistress of the Duke of Clarence, later William IV. During their 20-year relationship, she bore him 10 children, all given the surname FitzClarence. The couple lived together as husband and wife, mainly at Bushy House in Bushy Park, Surrey, of which William was Ranger, until they finally separated in 1811. Jordan moved into 30 (formerly 3) Cadogan Place in Chelsea the following year.

Although Jordan’s stage success continued, her final years were marked by tragedy: suffering increasingly from ill health, she retired from the theatre in 1815 and left Cadogan Place for France, where she died alone and in poverty.