Cibber

Cibber is an English surname associated especially with a family prominent in 18th-century London theatre. The most influential member of the name was Colley Cibber (1679–1757), an actor-manager, playwright, and Poet Laureate from 1730 to his death. He became a leading figure at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, shaping the era’s dramatic repertoire through his management and productions. His plays include Love’s Last Shift (1696) and The Provoked Husband (1728), which he co-wrote with John Vanbrugh. Cibber also wrote An Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber (1749), an early example of a celebrity autobiography that offers insight into the London theatre world of his time.

Colley Cibber’s son, Theophilus Cibber (1703–1758), followed in his father’s footsteps as an actor and writer, contributing to 18th-century stage and literary culture in London. The Cibber name is also associated with Susannah Cibber, an actress who was connected with Colley and noted for her stage career in the same period.

Together, the Cibbers are remembered for their impact on English theatre during the Restoration and Georgian eras, including contributions to acting, playwriting, and theatre management. The surname continues as a historical marker of early modern English stage history and biography.