The British Musical Biography

[E] Leslie, Fred, j)rofessional name of Fred-
erick HoBsoN, baritone singer and burlesque
actor, was born at Woolwich, April 1, 1855.
Son of Charles Hobson, military outfitter
there. He was originally engaged in com-
mercial pursuits in London, but frequently
took part in amateur theatricals. In February,
1878, he adopted the stage as a profession, and
obtained his first engagement from Miss Kate
Santley, at the Royalty Theatre, London.
He afterwards appeared in operatic and bur-
lesque pieces at the Alhambra, Globe, Comedy,
and Gaiety Theatres in London. In 1881, he
appeared in America, and in 1888 went to
Australia. He also played in the English
provinces, and in Scotland. Among the pieces
in which he took a leading part may be
named : — Mefistofele II. ; Rip Van Winkle
(1882) ; Madame Favart (1882) ; INIanteaux
Noirs (1882) ; Beggar Student (1884) ; Little
Jack Sheppard (1886-88) ; Monte Cristo (1888) ;
Miss Esmeralda (1888) ; Cinder-Ellen (1891) ;
Ruy Bias (1891), etc. For the text of some
of these, Leslie was responsible. He died at
London, December 7, 1892.

[+] Besides writing some dramatic works he
wrote a few songs and other pieces. See
" Reminiscences of Fred Leslie, by W. T.
Vincent," London, 2 vols., 1894.

entry id: 244-R-46