born Nov. 6, 1671, London, Eng.
died Dec. 11, 1757, London
British actor-manager, playwright, and poet.
He began his career as an actor in 1690. His Love's Last Shift (1696) is considered the first sentimental comedy. Cibber and two other actor-managers comanaged the Drury Lane Theatre (1710–33). He was appointed poet laureate in 1730. His autobiography, An Apology for the Life of Mr. Colley Cibber (1740), contains the best account of the theatre of his day. Tactless, rude, and supremely self-confident, he was the target of many personal and political attacks; The Dunciad . See also {{link=actor-manager system">actor-manager system .