The novel
Peg Woffington, by the British author Charles Reade was published 1853 and was inspired by the popular stage play
Masks and Faces which he had co-written with Tom Taylor the previous year. Reade portrayed the London success of the Irish actress Peg Woffington (1720-1760) and featured other prominent figures of the days such as
David Garrick (1717-1779).