Claude Melnotte in Lady of Lyons 1879

Henry Irving (1838-1905) was a celebrated actor and he established his reputation as a tragedian with Hamlet at the Lyceum in London in 1874. He played many Shakespearean and classic roles in a style which was individual and controversial, but which held audiences spellbound. Irving was also asuccessful theatre manager and organized several American and Canadian tours.Receiving many honours he was the first actor to be knighted. Her he is portrayed as Claude Melnotte in a play called the Lady of Lyons by Edward Bulwer-Lytton.It is a romantic melodrama in which Melnotte finally marries the central character Pauline.

Harry Furniss ( 1854-1925) was a prolific caricaturist who worked in Ireland before moving to London in 1876. He worked on the Illustrated London News and Punch as well as illustrating several novels.