Abraham Portal (baptised 1726 – 1809) was an English goldsmith and dramatist. [1]
He was the son of a clergyman, Peter William Portal, of Huguenot origin. [1] He started in life as a goldsmith and jeweller on Ludgate Hill, but lost money both in this trade and as a bookseller, and finished his career as a box-keeper at Drury Lane Theatre. It appears from his Poems that Portal was a close friend of John Langhorne. [2] Other friends were Edmund Cartwright and John Scott of Amwell. [3]
His brother was the Rev. Andrew Portal, headmaster and usher of Abingdon School. [4]
In the spring of 1796 Portal seems to have been living in Castle Street, Holborn. [2]
Portal's writings include: [2]
Neither Vortimer nor Olindo and Sophronia was acted. [2]
Portal married Elizabeth Nethersole in 1748; they had a son, who died young, and she died in 1758. He then married Elizabeth Bedwell, and they had nine children. Of these Ann Cracroft Portal married Moreton Walhouse, and was step-mother of Edward John Littleton, 1st Baron Hatherton. [1] [6]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
public domain: "
Portal, Abraham".
Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.