Booth, Edwin

(1833-1893)

   Generally acknowledged as the greatest actor in American theatre history, Edwin Booth was born on Junius Brutus Booth's Maryland farm, reportedly on a night of shooting stars. In his youth, he toured with his father and even on occasion substituted for his father, although he developed a far more restrained and natural style in contrast to the romantic excess of the earlier generation. His physical attributes contributed to his compelling portrayals: a lithe body, luminous and expressive eyes, and a melodiously caressing voice.

   Booth toured with Laura Keene to Australia (1854-1855) and had two successful European tours (1861-1862 and 1881-1882). In 1860, he married actress Mary Devlin (1840-1863), and in 1869, Mary McVicker (d. 1881). In 1864, Booth famously played Shakespeare's Hamlet for 100 consecutive performances. His other great roles included both Iago and Othello in Othello, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, and the title roles in Richelieu, Macbeth, and King Lear. Devastated by his brother's assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Booth left the stage for a year. He built the exquisitely appointed Booth's Theatre in New York. It opened in 1869, but proved to be financially draining, and he had to sell it in 1873.

   Edwin Booth toured extensively during the 1880s, including two noteworthy "joint star" tours with Lawrence Barrett. In this same era, he was the first major actor to have his voice recorded by Thomas A. Edison. In 1888, Booth founded The Players, a theatrical club that continues to this day in his New York home on Gramercy Square, where he died.

   See also Booth, John Wilkes; Booth, Junius Brutus, Jr..