Researching James Stark

Stark was born in Norwich, the youngest son of an important dye manufacturer, Michael Stark, who is credited with the invention of the dye known as 'Norwich red'. On the completion of his education at Norwich School in 1811, he was apprenticed to John Crome, whose influence on his pupil was profound. His work was exhibited in London as early as 1811 and at the British Institution from 1814–18. In 1814 he moved away from Norwich to London, where he befriended the artist William Collins. In 1819 ill health forced him to return to Norwich, where lived for twenty years, before moving to Windsor in 1840, where he continued to produce landscapes. He returned to London in 1849, residing there until his death in 1859 at the age of 64. He is buried in the Rosary Cemetery in Norwich.

Stark generally worked in oils, although his total output included etchings, watercolours and pencil and chalk drawings. His landscapes paintings often depicting woodland scenes that were pastiches of the seventeenth century Dutch masters. His works during the 1830s were more successful, and displayed a freshness that was previously lacking. In 1834 he published his admired Scenery of the Rivers of Norfolk, which consisted of thirty-six etchings produced by specialist engravers after his own paintings. This ambitious work was well-received at the time, but as with similar works published by other artists, it was financially unsuccessful.

Stark was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, but his career was largely spent in California during pioneer days. He was particularly known for his portrayal of Cardinal Richelieu in the play of the same name, and for his portrayal of Hamlet and other Shakespearean characters.

Around 1848, he was a member of the stock company at the Richmond Theatre in Virginia.

In New York City, he played the Park Theatre in 1846 with John Collins in The Irish Ambassador, as Prince Rudolf; with Charles Kean and his wife, the former Ellen Tree, in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and King John; and with James Robertson Anderson in the new play King of the Commons. In 1848 and 1851 he played the Old Broadway Theatre, with Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Wallack Jr. In 1852 Frank Chanfrau was the manager of The New York Theatre, Astor Place (formerly the Astor Place Opera House) for one week, from September 27 to October 2, when Stark played King Lear, Hamlet, Richelieu, The Stranger, and Claude Melnotte (in The Lady of Lyons). In 1858 Mr. and Mrs. Stark performed for one week at Wallack's Theatre (485 Broadway), April 5 – 10, in The Gamester, The Lady of Lyons, Richelieu, Othello, Hamlet, and The Stranger. From August 20 to September 8, 1866, when the same theater (485 Broadway), managed by George Wood, was called the Broadway Theatre, he acted in Richelieu, The Robbers, Napoleon (a new play), The Stranger, Katherine and Petrucio, The Lady of Lyons, Ingomar, and Pizarro, but the engagement was not profitable.

Stark was also popular in Australia.

He died in New York City, in poverty and illness, aged 57 years.