English actress, the daughter of William Graham, a ship’s steward. In 1753 she appeared at Drury Lane as Marcia in Samuel Crisp’s (d. 1783) Virginia, Garrick being the Virginius. She was gradually entrusted with all the leading parts. Mrs. Yates, whose husband, Richard Yates (c. 1706–1796), was a well-known comedian, succeeded Mrs. Cibber as the leading tragedian of the English stage, and was in turn succeeded—and eclipsed—by Mrs. Siddons.
