Thomas Shaftoe Robertson was a British actor who became the manager of a circuit of theatres in and around Lincolnshire that he carried on for nearly half a century. He was able to attract well-known London actors to take parts in plays that he produced. His actress wife, Fanny Robertson, took over the Lincoln circuit upon his death.
Career
Robertson was the son of James Shaftoe Robertson, a theatre manager, and Ann Fowler. From a young age, he and his youngest brother James took part in theatrical productions; he appeared at York before his fifth birthday. Thomas and James had a middle brother, George Fowler Robertson. On 8 September 1793, Robertson married actress Frances Mary Ross later known as Fanny Robertson. Their nephew was William Shaftoe Robertson, whose children included the playwright T. W. Robertson and the actressDame Madge Kendal. Following the death of his father, and his mother passing the management to him, Robertson entered into a theatre management partnership with James Edward Miller. An advertisement in the Stamford Mercury on 31 August 1787 stated: The Stamford Mercury, on 11 March 1796, carried an announcement by a Dr E. Laycock and a Mr. William Bousfield Charles Lowe, Junr, of Boston acknowledging that rumours had circulated alleging that Miller had "dishonestly acted towards Mr. Robertson". The piece witnessed that Robertson declared to Laycock and Lowe that he "had no Accusation whatever to make against Mr. Miller, and that such Reports never came from him."quote|MR. ROBERTSON, joint Manager with Mr. MILLER, of the THEATRES Lincoln, Boston, Newark, Grantham, Huntingdon, Spalding, Wisbech, and Peterborough... has purchased of Mr. MILLER all his Property and Right in those Theatres and Circuit; of which Assignment Possession is to take Place on the Second Day of MAY, this present Year 1796. Mr. ROBERTSON having since fully entered into Partnership with Mr. ROBERT HENRY FRANKLIN... Messrs. Robertson & Franklin take this Opportunity of soliciting the usual Protection of the Magistrates, and Patronage of generous and candid Public assuring them, that every Exertion On their Part shall be used to merit a Continuance of that liberal Encouragement which the Company has for so many Years experienced.cn|date=July 2020
