J.A. Rouvière

(17**-18**) A watchmaker and one of the leading members of the French cultural movement in the Cape in the early 19th century. He possibly arrived and settled in Cape Town some time after 1807, and soon became an informed member of the cultural elite in Cape Town, a friend of C.E. Boniface and a strong supporter of Dutch aspirations and theatres. In his case he apparently went on to create something of a theatrical dynasty, with the names C.A Rouvière, L.A. Rouvière and J.P. Rouvière featuring as dancers and performers in Dutch productions circa 1825.

His name first appears as actor in 1809, related to a production by C.E. Boniface (Les Plaideurs by Racine and Le Derviche by De Saint-Foix, 22 February, 1809).