Joseph Leathley Cowell (né Hawkins-Witshed; 7 August 1792 – 13 November 1863) was an English actor, writer, and painter.
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Early life
Cowell was born Joseph Leathley Hawkins-Witshed not far from Torquay in Devon. His father had been a colonel in the army, and his uncle was Admiral James Hawkins-Whitshed.
Cowell entered the navy at the age of 13, served three years as a midshipman, and then embarked on a year-long cruise to the West Indies. In a quarrel, he struck a superior officer, thus rendering himself liable to a court-martial, with the probability of being shot. On the voyage home, his ship encountered a French ship and he begged to be allowed to lose his life honorably in action. He did his duty so bravely that on arriving at Plymouth, the admiral obtained his antedated discharge by way of the sick list. These events prompted Cowell to change his surname.
Acting career
Cowell became interested in acting during one of his naval leaves. He later recounted how when he first saw Hamlet performed, he interrupted the ghost by shouting "That's the man who nailed up the flags," and he startled Hamlet by suggesting, "If I were you I'd go to sea!"