-
Birth
Year of Robert's birth, exact date unknown. Robert was the only one of nine children to make it to adulthood. -
Robert Sent to England
Robert is sent by his father to England to recieve a classical education. His father Alexander accompanies him. -
Period: to
Formative Years
During this time period, Robert was edcucated in England and later the United States. He began to do crudely staged productions of Shakespearean tradgedies in Antigua. When his father died, he decided that he did not want to take over the plantation, and passed control to an underling while he recieved a large income. -
Moves to England
Robert arrives at the York House in Bath and begins gaining attention by rehearsing scenes in the breakfast room. -
First Production in England
A local theatre in Bath agrees to let Robert star in a production of Romeo and Juliet for one night only. The theatre dubs him "a dedicated amateru of fashion." -
Production at the Theatre Royal
Robert holds a one-night only perforamance of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Theatre Royal in Richmond, as a warm up for a benefit play. He ends the performance with a poem that shamed the hecklers in the audience. -
Benefit Play
Coates holds a benefit perfomance at the Haymarket Theatre for a widow that had previously asked him for money. -
Article in "The European"
An article published in the magazine, "The European," defends Robert's work. -
Benefit Play
Robert plays Belcour in a production of "The West Indian" for the benefit of an army widow. He offers a monetary award for anyone caught throwing food on the stage. -
Referenced in "The Times"
Robert is referenced as being the most brillianty dressed at a council meeting attended by the Dukes of York and Glocester. The article specifically calls him "Romeo Coates, 'the bad actor.'" -
Marriage
Robert weds Emma Anne Robinson. -
Period: to
Later Years
Having given up professional theatre, Robert and his wife attempt to start a family, but both of their children die at a young age. They move to Boulonge-sur-Mer in Northern France as their finances shrink. Eventually, they return to London in 1843. -
Critically Injured
Robert crushed by a private carriage after watching a perfomance at the Covent Garden Theatre. -
Death
Death from injuries sustained in collision.