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Edwin Booth

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Edwin Booth was a famous American actor from the 1800s.

2013-7 s
2013-7 s

Many people believe he was the greatest American actor of the 19th century. He was born in Bel Air, Maryland, into a family of actors. His father was a well-known English actor named Junius Brutus Booth. Edwin had two brothers, Junius Jr. and John Wilkes Booth. The brothers often competed with each other to find success.

Oliver Ingraham Lay - Edwin Booth as Hamlet - 1887
Oliver Ingraham Lay - Edwin Booth as Hamlet - 1887

Edwin was famous for performing plays by William Shakespeare. He was especially known for his role as Hamlet. He once performed Hamlet for 100 nights in a row. This was a record that lasted until 1922. He also played roles like Richard II and Othello.

Edwin Booth Richard III Playbill 1872
Edwin Booth Richard III Playbill 1872

Edwin's life was full of both great success and hard times. In 1869, he opened his own building called Booth's Theatre in New York. He also managed the Winter Garden Theatre from 1863 to 1867. He even built a large summer home in Rhode Island called Boothden.

Edwin Booth's "Boothden", Middletown Rhode Island
Edwin Booth's "Boothden", Middletown Rhode Island

This house had a dance hall and a windmill. However, his brother John Wilkes Booth killed President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. This event brought a lot of shame to the Booth name. Edwin had to stop acting for many months because of this. He eventually returned to the stage in 1866.

Edwin was a brave person who helped others. Once, he saved a young man on a train platform. The young man was Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of President Lincoln. Robert fell into a narrow space while the train was moving. Edwin grabbed his collar and pulled him to safety.

Edwin Booth with daughter Edwina
Edwin Booth with daughter Edwina

This kind act gave Edwin some comfort during a sad time. He later became a founder of a club for artists called The Players. He bought a home on Gramercy Park to serve as a clubhouse.

There were many interesting facts about Edwin's life and career. In 1879, a man named Mark Gray tried to shoot him in Chicago. The shots missed Edwin and hit the stage floor instead. Edwin also traveled the world to perform for many people. He visited places like Australia, Hawaii, and Canada.

Edwin Booth's "Boothden", Middletown Rhode Island
Edwin Booth's "Boothden", Middletown Rhode Island

He even performed several different Shakespeare plays on consecutive days in Toronto. These tours helped him find success and earn his fortune back.

Today, we can still see the marks of Edwin Booth's life. His daughter was named Edwina, and he lived with his wife Mary McVicker Booth. Edwin died in 1893 in his apartment at The Players. He is buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Massachusetts.

EdwinBoothGrave
EdwinBoothGrave

Some people have even tried to use DNA to study his family history. His life has also been turned into movies and plays. One famous film about him was made in 1955. His story shows how much art and family can shape a person.

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Edwin Booth with daughter Edwina.jpg
Edwin Booth with daughter Edwina.jpg
File:2013-7 s.jpg
2013-7 s.jpg
File:Edwin Booth Richard III Playbill 1872.jpg
Edwin Booth Richard III Playbill 1872.jpg
File:Edwin Booth's "Boothden", Middletown Rhode Island.jpg
Edwin Booth's "Boothden", Middletown...
File:EdwinBoothGrave.jpg
EdwinBoothGrave.jpg
File:Oliver Ingraham Lay - Edwin Booth as Hamlet - 1887.jpg
Oliver Ingraham Lay - Edwin Booth as...
File:Gramercy Park Edwin Booth statue.jpg
Gramercy Park Edwin Booth statue.jpg
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