PAUL, Mrs Howard (Miss Featherstone) [HILL, Isabelle Jane] (b Newton Street, Holborn, London, 1 April 1833; d 17 The Avenue, Bedford Park, Turnham Green, London, 6 June 1879)

This chapter presents a biography of mid- to late-19th-century singer Howard Paul. A remarkable and individual performer as both a vocalist and an actress, Mrs Paul shared with Mrs German Reed the absolute pre-eminence in the world of the ladies. She first came upon the musical and theatrical scene when she was nineteen years of age. Mr and Mrs Howard Paul made their first appearance in America at New York's Irving Hall on 1 October 1866, before moving on to New Haven, Hartford, Springfield, Worcester and Providence. Mrs Paul sang 'The Sneezing Song' at Chatterton's Benefit at Drury Lane, and on 2 September 1867 they began another two-week series of performances at the Strand Theatre. In August 1878, Mrs Paul returned to her singing in concert at the Brighton Aquarium, playing an engagement at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Liverpool as Agnes Fleming in A Battle Royal, penned by her old partner Arthur Matthison.