Barton**, a celebrated English tragedian, born of an ancient family in Lancashire, in 1681. He was educated in Westminster school under the celebrated Dr Bushby, where his success in the Latin plays customarily performed by the scholars gave him an inclination for the stage. He was intended for the church; but at seventeen years of age he ran away from school, and joined a theatrical company at Dublin. His first appearance was hailed with applause; and from this time he continued daily improving. After two successful campaigns in Ireland he returned to his native country, having first reconciled himself to his friends. Betterton, to whom he had an introduction, received him with great cordiality, and gave him all the assistance in his power. His success at London was complete, and he established his reputation as only second to his great instructor. He was indebted to a happy coincidence of merit and chance for that height of fame which he at length attained in the character of Cato. The Whigs, in favour of whose principles this tragedy was apparently written, thought it their duty to support it strongly; while the Tories, at every passage susceptible of a popular turn, were no less vehement in their approbation. Booth was twice married; first to a daughter of Sir William Barkham, Bart., and afterwards to Miss Hester Santlow, an actress of great merit. During the twenty years of his management, the theatre was in the greatest credit; and his death, which happened on the 10th of May 1735, contributed not a little to its decline. Booth was a man of excellent character, and greatly esteemed for his amiability and goodness of heart.