Joseph Isidore Samson

Training under Pierre Lafon is recorded. Jane Essler, Jeanne-Sylvanie-Sophie Arnould-Plessy and Rachel Félix are recorded as having studied under Joseph Isidore Samson. The recorded working language is French. Positions recorded include Sociétaire of the Comédie-Française. Distinctions recorded are Knight of the Legion of Honour.

• Born — 2 July 1793 • Birthplace — Saint-Denis, France • Died — 28 March 1871 • Place of death — Paris, France • Occupation — actor, playwright, professor • Education — Conservatoire de Paris • Employer — Comédie-Française, Conservatoire de Paris

Samson was born at Saint-Denis, near Paris, the son of a restaurateur. He took first prize for comedy at the Conservatoire in 1812, married an actress with whom he had toured in France, and joined the Comédie-Française in 1826. There he remained until 1863, creating more than 250 parts. In 1829 Samson became a professor at the Conservatoire, under whom Rachel Félix (1821–1858), Rose Cheri (1824–1861), the Brohans and others were trained. He wrote several comedies, among them La Belle-Mère et le gendre (1826), and La Famille poisson (1846). Samson died in Paris on 28 March 1871. • Illustration — Engraving of Joseph Isidore Samson in 1871

• Theatre • La Fête de Molière, comédie épisodique in 1 act and in verse, Paris, Théâtre de l'Odéon, 15 January 1825 • La Belle-mère et le gendre, comedy in 3 acts, in verse, Paris, Théâtre de l'Odéon, 20 April 1826 • Un Veuvage, comedy in 3 acts and in verse, Paris, Théâtre-Français, 27 May 1842 • Un Péché de jeunesse, comedy in 1 act, mingled with song, with Jules de Wailly. Paris, Théâtre du Vaudeville, 28 March 1843 • La Famille Poisson, ou les Trois Crispins, comedy in 1 act, Paris, Théâtre-Français, 15 December 1845 • La Dot de ma fille, comedy in 1 act, in verse, Paris, Théâtre-Français, 13 December 1854 • Other • Collection des rapports faits par M. Samson, de l'Association de secours mutuels entre les artistes dramatiques, 1851 Text online • Mémoires de Samson, de la Comédie française, 1862 Text online • L'Art théâtral, 2 vols, 1863–1865