Congreve's original Mirabell in The Way of the World (1700). Anthony Aston contrasted his wild, untaught talents with Betterton's artfulness, and he was especially appreciated in "natural" characters such as the unique title character in a stage adaptation of Aphra Behn's Oroonoko written by Thomas Southerne. John and Susanna Verbruggen had a child as early as 1703, Lewis, who was baptized on 27 May. Susanna Verbruggen died between July and August 1703, and the infant was buried in October. John Baptista Verbruggen was buried on 12 March 1708, and on 26 April at Drury Lane, a benefit was held for "a Young Orphan-Child of the late Mr Verbruggen and Mrs Verbruggen", presumably the John George Verbruggen, son of John and Susanna, who was baptized on 23 November 1708. Selected appearances Tamerlane by Nicholas Rowe (1701) References All the information is taken from the "Verbruggen, John" article in Highfill, Philip Jr, Burnim, Kalman A., and Langhans, Edward (1973–93), Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660–1800 (16 volumes), Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press. 17th-century English male actors 1708 deaths 18th-century English male actors Year of birth unknown English male stage actors