The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-02
u. l.. DAVENPORT.
The Most versatile Actor ut Modern
Times.

The Most versatile Actor ut Modern
Times.
Close following upon Ben DeBar goes Daven-
port, probably the most versatile actor Of modern
times. Three seasons ago we saw him for the
last time, playing some OF his capital characters
Mt the st. Charles Theatre. But Davenport was
on the wane, and even his beautiful sonorous
voice had oeased TO vibrate correctly, and dwin-
died into tremolo that announced that his
physique was failing him.
The news Of his death, like that OF Dollar, was
not unexpected, but IL came 30 late to us last
night that we can give only very hasty sketch
Of his career. u. L. Davenport was born In Bos-
ton about sixty or sixty-one years ago. He made
his first appearance at the Providence (R. L.
Theatre, at tho lowest round of the dramatic
ladder. Thence he went back to Boston. playing
under Pelly, ut tho old fremont Theatre. Event
ually he went to New York, where he played I'M
der the management OF r. 8. Hamblin in 1881 in
subordinate parts. In 1S43 he was at the Walnut
Street Theatre. In 1874 he had risen to such
prominence as to support
THE ELDER BooTH
as Lae,tes 10 Hamlet.
He had not long before played in paptomime
and acted as d song and dance man. The Wal
nut Theatre at the time referred to had in it's
stock such artists 40 Charlotte and Susan Cush-
man. Wm. Wheatley, Peter Rchipgs, James W.
Wallack, Jr., Walter Leman, Joe Maggie, VIM. Il.
Blake, Thomas Hardaway, Lewis Baker, Ben
Young, Mrs. Thayer, VIM. d. Chapman, Ed
Shaw, and others of like ilk. He wentIagain to
tho Bowery, whore no made great hit in YAM
keo part In "Putnam or the Iron Son Of 70" with
John II. Scott, William Miner, J. Vachea, Junius
Booth and others of equal talent in the cast. He
then made an engagement with Mrs. Anna Cora
Mowatt afterwards Mrs. Richie. Of Richmond,
va), with whom be Travelled over England, Ire
land and Scotland, winning golden opinions from
THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS.
The London Times said OF him that ''for ver-
| satility he had no equal on the British boards,
playing from OH,eHo TO William in Black-eyed
SUSAN" Tho latter part he played fifty times
in succession. He remained six wears In Eng
land. About 1852 he appeared % Nheab at the
broadway Theatre New York, and travelled
through the States during that season and many
others afterward,
Whilst in England
HE MARRIED
| Miss Fanny Vining, who wac an actress OF more
| than ordinary talent, by whom he had several
very handsome and talented daughters, among
| them the distinguished Fanny Davenport.
Davenport attempted to be n manager in Bos-
ton and Philadelphia, but lost money by his ven
| ture, About the year 1896 Davenport j. W.
Wailacl and Mrs. Farren ''took tho road" and
played to very large business over the whole
country, under tho management OF Harry Jarrett.
| Since that time he has appeared as star in all
| the principal theatres OF the United States.
| II would be difficult to say In what Davenport
| exoeled. He WIS looked upon by the profession
"a the best Hamlet, the best Bratus. tho best Sir
| Giles Operreooh and the best 0ateRo on the
boards. Davenport was an even actor.
NEVER STREAMING AFTER EFFECTS
or at making points, but used all gently "to hold
| the mirror as Ii 'twere up to nature"
His last great effort occurred during last win
| ter when Lawrence Barrett undertook to per-
senate king Lear. Unfortunately for him, Daven-
port was the Edgar. Before the play was hall
over Davenport had buried Larry, who threw up
his part IN disgust, and, as a contemporary had
| IL, stock no more Lear in hiB'n.n Davenport was
ever q careful, conscientious actor. When
Macready took bis farewell OF the London stage
Davenport supported him during the first week,
but was supplanted by Mr.. Phelps, who did not
| SHARE THE APPLAUSE 80 MUCH.
Edwin l.. Davenport had seen life in all Ito
phases and like all men of his calibre, worked
| hard, lived well and died comparatively poor.
Take him ali In all, tive shall not look upon bis
like again." The stage has lost one OF it's bright
est ornaments, and society genial gentleman.