Nell Gwyn
Nell Gwyn, full name Eleanor Gwyn (1651-87). English actress. As a child she sold oranges to the theatre-goers at Drury Lane Theatre, making her first appearance on stage at the age of 15. A successful actress, she was ad-mired by the poet Dryden, who wrote a number of parts for her. In 1669 she became the mistress of Charles II, and eventually bore him two sons. The king remained devoted to her all his life and on his deathbed said, “Let not poor Nellie starve.” According to tradition, she was responsible for the founding of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
