The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-02-19
Charlotte CuShman.

despatch in another column announces the
death of Charlotte Cushman, which took place
at the Parker House in Boston yesterday morn
ing.
Miss Cushman was born in Boston, July %,
1916. Her father, Elkanah Cushman, was en-
gagged in the West India trade, but when Char
lotte was twelve years of age misfortune over
took him and she was compelled to depend
largely on her own efforts for livelihood She
had developed early in life a remarkably sweet
and powerful contralto voice, and she now
turned this to good account At fourteen she
made her first appearance in public concert.
Soon after her voice attracted the attention of
Mrs. Wood, the celebrated English singer and
actress, and at her suggestion she commenced
to study for the operate stage April s, 1885,
she made her debut in the role of the Countess
Almaviva in Mozart's Marriage of Figaro"
at the fremont Theatre. Her success, though
not brilliant, was very satisfactory and she
resolved to continue upon the stage. She soon
after made an engagement with an English
opera company and appeared in several cities
of the North, and afterwards at New Orleans.
Here a misfortune befel her which changed all
her plans and compelled her to abandon the
singing for the speaking stage. Her voice.
from the effects of the change of climate and
overwhelming, failed her and she could sing no
longer.
Finding her vocal powers gone she deter
termined to enter upon the dramatic stage and
began at once to study the role of Lady Mac
beth, under Mr.. Barton's ian actor of some
local note) tuition. She appeared in the part
and acted with such fire and enthusiasm that
she conquered success and stamped herself as
woman Of the highest histrionic genius. The
tragedy was enacted for several nights, and at
tracted the largest and most enthusiastic au-
diences. Following her southern successful
debut Miss Cushman returned to New York
and accepted an engagement to last three years
at the Bowery Theatre. Illness broke the en-
gagement after weeks performance. and dur
ing her sickness the theatre and her extensive
wardrobe were destroyed by fire. Some months
after she accepted an engagement at the old
Park Theatre as stock actress. and appeared
in round of good approximations, displaying
great versatility. During this period her sister,
Miss Susan W. Cushman made her debut up
on the stage, and Charlotte appeared in sup
port, acting male parts with wonderful power
As an instance of the popular effect produced
by these jeint representations, it may be stated
that "London Assurance" had the long run of
over ninety nights. After conducting Phila-
delphia theatre for season or two, she received
and accepted an invitation to support the great
English actor, William Charles Macready, in
his American tour in 1915. During this
tour she filed some of the highest roles in the
drama, and ever with increasing power and
abundant success. In 1915, Miss Cushman
went to England, and without heralding m ade
grand reputation. Her first appearance in
England was in the role of Blanca, in Mil
mans ''Fazio," at the Princess's Theatre. For
over eighty nights she continued her triumphs
and gained the most glowing encomiums from
press and public, acting many of the most ia
nous roles.
Subsequently she enacted the part of Romeo
to her sister Susan's Juliet with great success.
In 1849 she returned to America and first ap-
peared in her most famous role of Meg Mer-
rifles in Guy Mannering. She soon after visited
England again, and in 1857 made farewell
tour of the United States afterwards going to
Rome, where she resided till the war of the
rebellion in this country broke out, when she
offered to play in the principal cities of the
North for the benefit of the Sanitary Commits
sion. Her offer was gratefully accepted and
her tour netted some $4,000. After this tour
she again returned to Rome, but in 1871 came
back to this country. In 1875 she took her final
farewell of the stage, PLAYING her last engage
ment at the Globe Theatre in Boston, May Is.
Since then she has resided for the most part in
Boston.