Leslie, Amy

(1860-1939)

   The irrepressible Chicago drama critic was born Lillie West in West Burlington, Iowa. She graduated from the conservatory of music at St. Mary's Academy, South Bend, Indiana, and spent several years performing in light opera in New York and on tour. After she and her first husband, Frank Brown, divorced, she returned to Chicago and, in 1890, began a 40-year career as critic for the Chicago Daily News, using the pen name Amy Leslie. In 1901, she married the much younger Frank "Bring 'em Back Alive" Buck, but they divorced 15 years later. Leslie's style might be described as gushing, enthusiastic, and ornate. Her 1891 book Some Players is a collection of vividly written sketches of many actors of the day, interspersed by the photographs they autographed to her.