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The listed gravestone in Buxton, Derbyshire, of actor-comedian John Kane, who 'ate himself to death.'

JOHN KANE was an eighteenth century actor and comedian of considerable distinction. He was born in Ireland in 1746 but performed widely in England.

Like most of his profession he moved about the country, and in December 1799 had been fulfilling an engagement at the Opera House in Buxton, Derbyshire, when he met his end in an unfortunate manner.

His grave at the rear of St Anne's churchyard in Buxton gives no hint of the unusual circumstances which prevailed.

The story has been related that Kane had a hearty appetite and was particularly partial to roast beef with horseradish sauce. He dined on his favourite one December night in Buxton, but whoever had prepared the fiery condiment had made a grave error.

Instead of picking wild horseradish they mistakenly gathered the poisonous species 'hemlock', not one it is wise to consume, for as history has related the plant was the means by which condemned criminals in Ancient Greece were despatched to their deaths, the philosopher Socrates being its most famous victim.

As a consequence of consuming the pungent preparation the celebrated Irish comedian performed his own 'Greek tragedy' and was said to have suffered an agonising death accompanied by the sort of dramatic contortions which fully befitted a leading actor's final exit.

Although the episode was undeniably tragic, it prompted no small degree of 'black humour', it being noted by those of a waggish turn that John Kane had literally 'eaten himself to death' and suffered a 'bitter end' which was undoubtedly 'hard to swallow' for the hapless victim.

His gravestone is considered to harbour such an interesting tale that it has become a listed monument. If anyone can furnish further details of Kane's life and career, this article can be added to here.

This entry is part of the You and Yesterday Grave Matters project which aims to record the location of unusual or 'celebrity' graves in Derbyshire. If you know of other examples, why not add them to the growing list on the Grave Matters page and write a short piece like this one to accompany it.

• Derbyshire Characters - And The Nominees Are...
• JOHN KANE

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County:  Derbyshire

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