Miss Fanny Stirling
(1842-1929)

Born Frances Mary Stirling in London on 7 February 1842, Miss Fanny Stirling was the daughter of the popular actress Mary Anne (‘Fanny’) Stirling, known profession as Mrs Stirling. Her father was Edward Stirling, a former bank clerk turned actor and, later, actor-manager. 

She first appeared on the stage at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1860, one newspaper reporting that: ‘We would only call attention to the debut of Miss Fanny Stirling, which was a complete and deserved triumph. She is the beautiful daughter of a mother whose charms are not yet marred by time. If Miss Fanny Stirling adopts the stage, it is a profession in which she will doubtless take a leading position’ (London Daily Guide and Stranger’s Companion, 4 August 1860). 

Shortly afterwards another newspaper commented: ‘The new actress, Miss Fanny Stirling […], is the only child of Mrs Stirling, the first actress of high comedy in this country. Miss Fanny Stirling is young, handsome, well educated, and exceedingly accomplished’ (Belfast Morning News, 12 October 1860).

She appears on the 1851 census, living with her mother and one female servant at 23 Piccadilly in London. Ten years later they were living at 3 Brook Street in London. 

In 1861 she and her mother appeared together in Tom Taylor’s ‘new and original comedy’ A Duke in Difficulties at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. 

On 7 February 1863 at St Mary’s in Beddington, Surrey, she married James Allen (1832-1926) and subsequently retired from the stage. Their marriage produced eight children. 

The family appear on the 1881 census living at Warrington House in Croydon. James Allen gave his profession as ‘Solicitor.’ His eldest son, also James, aged 17, was a ‘Student of Law.’ The couple’s youngest child was Arthur, aged 4. The household included four female servants. 

By the time the census was taken in 1911, James Allen had become a ‘Royal Mail contractor.’ 

James Allen died on 9 April 1926 at at 8 Duppas Hill Road, Croydon. He left an estate valued at £102,872. 

Frances Mary Allen died, aged 87,  at the same address on 19 February 1929, leaving an estate valued at £12,527. 

[Two portraits of her mother by Silvy appear on page 6 of this section.]