Atherstone was born Thomas Weldon Anderson in Liverpool in late 1861 or early 1862.His birth was registered in the Prescot registration district in the January-March quarter of 1862 (GRO, ref 8b 523). He was a classically trained actor who became prominent in music halls during the early 1880s and 1890s, although by the turn of the century his presence in vaudeville had been considerably reduced with the exception of occasional performances, such as poetry readings. Atherstone separated from his wife around the turn of the century; she resumed her career in Dublin after their separation. He then began a relationship with American actress Elizabeth 'Bessie' Earle at a flat in London's Battersea around 1899.Elizabeth Earle was born c1875 in Tarrytown, New York state, but was living in London by 1891 (see 1891 census for 57 Edith Grove, Chelsea). Her mother, Josephine, was an actress who later became a 'teacher of expression' and a costume designer (1891 census for 57 Edith Grove; 1901 census for 61-70 Parliament Hill Mansions, St Pancras).Accounts differ as to when their relationship began. Elizabeth Earle insisted that their relationship started after the breakdown of Anderson's marriage, but said she had known him for eleven years, ie since 1899 (Faringdon Advertiser, 24 September 1910, p.3)
