Sir Henry Irving died in Bradford on 13 October 1905, shortly after performing in Alfred Tennyson’s *Becket* at the Theatre Royal. He had returned to his hotel when he collapsed. He was 67.

Irving had continued touring despite periods of ill health. His final performance came at the end of a career in which he had become one of Britain’s best-known actors and theatre managers.

Born John Henry Brodribb in Somerset in 1838, he took the professional name Henry Irving and established himself on the London stage. At the Lyceum Theatre, he built a reputation for productions of Shakespeare and other classical drama. His work with the actress Ellen Terry became central to the theatre’s success.

In 1895, Irving became the first actor to receive a knighthood. The honour marked a change in the public standing of the acting profession, which had not previously been recognised in this way.

His funeral took place at Westminster Abbey on 20 October. More than 40,000 people watched the funeral procession. His ashes were buried in Poets’ Corner, near the grave of David Garrick. It was the first burial of ashes in the Abbey.