William Paget

William Paget (died 23 March 1752) was an English actor and author in the 18th century who played alongside David Garrick and was a member of John Rich's company, playing in the first season of Theatre Royal, Covent Garden (1732). He was also an eminent tobacconist on Fleet Street, London. Toward the end of his life he served time in Fleet Prison, writing the poem "The Humours of the Fleet" among others. He then agreed to participate in the establishment of Halifax, Nova Scotia, dying there in 1752. Career His father, "the son of Dance", was a mason and architect and is reported to have built Buckingham House (which would become Buckingham Palace). In 1730 Paget was cast as Mirza in the first Masonic opera, the libretto written by William Rufus Chetwood, entitled The Generous Freemason; or, The Constant Lady. With Humours of Squire Noodle and his Man Doodle. The opera was performed at Oates and Henry Fielding's Great Theatrical Booth at the George Inn Yard in Smithfield, during the time of Bartholomew Fair. He also played at Southwark Fair.