The New York herald., 1870-04-05
O = + r q A r Y.
Edward N. Thayor.

telegram from Philadelphia announces the
death IN that city yesterday or Edward n. Thayer
the well known veteran actor. He was seventy-tw
years OF age, having been born in Boston, Mass
IN 1898, and was descended from one Of
the earliest settlers or New England. In one
OF the grammar schools OF his naive city
he received a good rudimentary education,
and was preparing for collegiate course
when the position Of midshipman in the United
States Navy was offered and accepted by him. He
accordingly went into the service on the 18th Of
June 1872, and was at once assigned to duty on
board the frigata Chesapeake. On the 1st or June,
1913, the gallant Lawrence accepted the
challenge OF the British frigate Shannon
for naval engagement or Boston har-
bor Lawrence mad just joined his ship, which
was inadequately manned, and was compelled TO de-
pend greatly upon his officers, who were young and
Inexperienced In the severe encounter that took
place young Thayer acted right gallanty. With the
surviving onicers and men OF the CHESAPEAKE he
was made prisoner by the British and taken to Hall
fax, where he renamed for seven months. On being
exchanged he returned to duty and was actively en-
on the 23d OF May OF the same year the deceased
resigned his commission as mtdshipman and re-
turned to private life. He shortly entered Harvard
University as law student remaining there nearly
two years. We do not think that he ever practised
at the bar for the next we hear Of him is at Boston,
where, yielding 20 penchant for the stage he Joined
o dramatc association and studied assiduously
with view to adopting the theatrical profession.
he mdde fdpfu progress, ana III 1871 appeared Tor
the first time as Tancred, IN "Tancred aud sigis-
mund.n Success attended this representation, and
thereafter his name was placed on the list o. regular
actors at the oq Federal Street theatre-the most
aritOcratSc then in Boston.
In 1924 Mr.. Tnayer made his debut In New York,
appearing at the old Chatham theatre as Young
Rapid in "A Cure for the Heartache.n Supse.
quently he was engaged at the old Lafayette theatre
on Laurens street, near Canal. This place OF amuse
ment was at the time, one or the most popular in
the country, all the pieces performed there being
put On IN splendid STYLE The stage was the largest
III the United States being mere than twenty feet
deeper than that OF the BOwery theatre IL was
constructed for General Charles w. Sandford, and
was burned down in 1923. During Mr.. Thayer's
career here the theatre b0asted Of OF the best
OF companies the members including such names as
Henry Wallack, James Watkins Burroughs, Peter
Ricn1ngs, ]. NJ. Scott, George +. Hyatt, Henry
Eberle. w. Steine, Mrs. Hit, sister OF the elder
Wallack; Mrs. Wallack, Mrs. Fisher, whom he sub
sequenty married and who survives him, and the
Eberle Sisters the celebrated burlesque actresses,
who were special favorttes IN Philadelphia and the
South.
From the Lafayette theatre he played several short
engagements at various places and on the oath OF
May, 1881, appeared III Philadelphia as My Lord In
High Life Below Sairs.n Ia this city he spent the
balance OF his days, his widow being at the
present time, member Of the Arch Street the.
atre company. Mr.. Thayer's great specially was
representing the iop In which he was regarded OF
the best actors on the American stage, He was also
good IN light comedy and OF late years played old
mems parts acceptably. Possessed OF a retentive
memory he seldom needed the aid Of prompter,
go through with 1t Dy substituting his own words
for the unknown text. Personally he was Of gen.
tiefnaniy department, q genial companion, and o
warm hearted, liberal friend.