Edith Evans (1888-1976) was a distinguished English actress most known for her portrayals of comic character roles.

Edith Evans was born in London in 1888. After finishing her schooling at the age of 15 she worked as a milliner for a number of years. Eventually, and rather haphazardly, she began to attend evening classes in acting. In 1912 she appeared in an amateur program of Shakespeare scenes. William Poel, a director particularly noted for his innovative staging of Shakespeare plays, happened to be in the audience that evening. He immediately recognized Evans' talent and cast her in a minor role in his next production at Cambridge. By the end of that same year Evans had made her London debut--as Cressida in Poel's production of Troilus and Cressida.

Evans then turned professional, acting mainly in contemporary plays at various theaters, although in 1917 and 1918 she toured in Shakespeare scenes with the celebrated senior...