David Garrick, something of a jack of all trades when he arrived at the theater in the 18th century, is an ideal lens through which to view that time period. His life spans an era of important developments in technology and thought and, through Garrick's work, he left an imprint on British society and national identity, particularly as it relates to Shakespeare. By examining his life and works, one can begin to see how great an impact he had and how British national identity came to be so closely linked to the image of Shakespeare. Garrick was born at the Angel Inn in Hereford on 19 February 1717. , to Captain Peter Garrick and his wife. Shortly after his birth, Garrick's family moved to Lichfield, where Garrick grew up and attended primary school (Burnim 2). For his further education, Garrick was sent to Edial Hall with his older brother, under the tutelage of Samuel Johnson, who would later become a close friend and traveling companion (Burnim 2). After Edial Hall was closed, just six months after he began studying there, Garrick planned to study law (Twickenham 1). However, after his father's death and his uncle's inheritance, he became involved in the family wine business, Garrick & Co. Wine Merchants, albeit with limited success (Burnim 2). This activity often took Garrick to places of entertainment, and he met the managers of local theatres, and inevitably he was drawn into the world of theater (Twickenham 2). He made his debut at the Outlaw Theater in London on 19 October 1741, playing the role of Richard III. It was hugely successful and became almost instantly popular. William Pitt went so far as to call him "the best actor the English theater had ever produced", even though his entry into the theater was... middle of paper... m." The Twickenham Museum: The History Center for Twickenham , Whitton, Teddington and Hamptons. Web 29 February 2011. .Heartz, Daniel. "From Garrick to Gluck: Theater and Opera Reform in the Mid-Eighteenth Century." 111-27. Print.Parkinson, John A. "Garrick's Folly." Musical Times Publications Ltd. 110.1519 (1969): 922-26.Pedicord, Harry W. "Garrick Produces "King John"" Theater Journal 34.4 (1982): 441-49. Print.Roach, Joseph R. "Garrick, the Ghost and the Machine." 34.4 (1982): 431-40. Web.Yadav, Alok and Eighteenth-Century British Literature." Mason Academic Research System (mason.gmu.edu). Web. 26 February. 2011. .