Louise Keeley
(1833-1877)

A carte-de-visite portrait of the actress Louise Keeley, who died at the age 43 on 27 January 1877. She was the daughter of the actor Robert Keeley and his wife Mary Ann. Her father also sat for Silvy around the same time that this portrait was taken.

In 1858 she married Montagu Williams. Educated at Eton, her husband had originally pursued a career as a teacher. He enlisted during the Crimean war but spent most of his military service in Dublin. He subsequently went on the stage but in 1862 he was called to the Bar. His brilliant legal career was adorned with several high-profile cases and he became one of the most respected and distinguished barristers of his generation. In 1888 he was appointed Queen's Counsel. 

The couple appear on the 1871 census living at 8 Upper Brook Street in Mayfair. 

Mrs Williams died suddenly on 24 January 1877. Her death was recorded briefly in the London and Provincial Entr'acte (27 January 1877). 'It is with much regret that we have to chronicle the death of Mrs Montague [sic] Williams, who will be best remembered as Miss Louise Keeley. This lady last appeared on the stage at the Haymarket Theatre. Her first appearance on the boards took place in 1856.' According to the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette (25 January 1877): 'The last time she appeared on the stage she played Jason in the extravaganza Medea, both Mr and Mrs Charles Mathews appearing in the cast.'

A short obituary also appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News (25 January 1877). 'Miss Louisa Keeley, whom old playgoers of Scotland will remember as appearing on the Edinburgh and Glasgow stages, and who subsequently became the wife of Mr Montagu Williams - one of the most promising barristers at the Old Bailey bar - is just dead. She was in her day an excellent singer and a good actress, and Mr Williams was himself on the stage when he married her in Edinburgh some years ago. Mrs Williams was the daughter of a famous actress, and at Edinburgh mother and daughter appeared together in "The Loan of a Lover." This was the début of the young lady, and her first performance was somewhat of a failure, but she amply revenged herself subsequently by becoming one of the reigning favourites of Mr Wyndham's company.'