This post was inspired, in roundabout ways, by kitesurfer and philverney. When I happened upon this photo in Wikipedia, I knew I had to work it into this forum somehow.


Herbert Beerbohm Tree (1852-1917), British actor, as Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. The photo was taken in 1910.

In 1899, he became the manager of His Majesty's Theatre (now Her Majesty's theater). His Wiki bio includes this fascinating tidbit: "...and his illegitimate children included film director [Sir] Carol Reed."

Actor Oliver Reed was one of Tree's grandchildren.

More about Sir Carol and his highly-regarded film career.