The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-16
TWO DISTINGUISHED ACTORS.
Edwin Booth and Lawrence Barrett and
Their Varied Professional Careers.

Edwin Booth and Lawrencs Barrett, who are
soon to appear here. are the two most dis
tnguished of american actors, and their stage
careers have been varied and interesting. Mr..
Booth is now fifty four years of age. The most
eminent of the sons of Junius Brutus Booth Was
born at his fathers house ut Bilan, near Balti-
more. Nd. in November. 1885. He was his
fathers companion in boyhood. serving him
frequently in the capacity OF dresser. and the
elder Booth constantly instilled in HIM lessons
tending to develop his histrionic ability. His
first appearance on che stage was made at the
Boston Museum, IS Tressel. in "Rishard III. !"
Sept 10. 1s49, and on May %, 1850, he APP
pearad at the Arch-strset Theater, Philadslphia,
as "Wilford," in the '.Iron Chest In 1850 he
distinguished himself by playing Richard III
At the Catham Theatre. New York, in the place
Of his father. His first independent appearance,
however, was made on May 4. 1857. as Richard
III" at the Winter Garden Theatre. In 1851 he
drifted to California and thence to Australia and
the Sandwich Islands in 1854 In 1857 he re-
turned to New York. It was not until his fare
well engagements at the Winter Garden that be
made profound impression. In 1861 Mr.
Booth married and made bridal tour to Eng
land. where he appeared Shylock at one of
the London theaters After the death OF his
wife. in 1862, he went into retirement. not aD-
pearing the stage until November. 1868,
when he made decided hit as Hamlet at the
Winter Garden Theater. In 1860 Mr. Booth
opened the theater at the corner of Twenty
third street and Sixth avenue, New York. which
bore his name. This magnificent playhouse
cost nearly half million. and was opened by
MIR. Booth in Romeo and Juliet" After strug-
Cling with this theater for i've years, Mr.. Booth
sank a large fortune in the enterprise and with
drew from the position. In 1880 he appeared at
the Princess Theater. London. playing in oppo-
site roles to Henry Irving. He has since rnat
time. created decided furore in Germany.
Lawrence Barrett is four years younger than
Mr. Booth having been born at Paterson, n. j..
1885, Mr. Barrett commenced life as sales
man at Detroit Mich, but having had a strong
penchant for the stage, he appeared at the old
Metropolitan Theater. Detroit, Murad liz
was steady. AT the age of sixteen. in 1854
he played Romeo TO the Juliet of Julia
Dean Hayne. He made his New York debut
Sir Thomas Clifford in 1.-THE Hunchback." He
then travelled TO Boston, where for several years
he was the leading man at the Howard Athe-
paum. In 1859 he married. and in 1861 he
left his professional labors for the field,
going into the army as captain in
the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts, Volun-
teers, serving with honor. and at the
professional life. In 1866 Mr.. Barrett went
to Europe but soon returned to join forces with
John Mccullough in tour of the Pacific slope.
In 1869 Mr.. Barrett made another trip to Eng
He returned TO New York in November of the
same year. appearing at Booths Theatsr, where
roles. The great success of the California Thea
ter. San Francisco, is due TO Mr.. Barretts in
telligence. Here he and John Mccullough be-
came the idols of the coast Since that time
Mr. Barrett has constantly heen before the pub
lie as a tragic star. Mr.. Barrett has leading
literary abilities. His Life of Forrest" is
scholarly and careful work. Lawrence Barrett
has done much for the native American and
contemporaneous drama. In 1881 he produced
at McVicker's Theater, Chicago, Willis m Youngs
tradeey "Pendragon." HIS presentation of
George H Boxers francesca di Rimini" is also
well known. and Alfred Thompsons petite play,
THE Kings Pleasure he produced last
season. Among the many roles that Mr.. Bar
rett was lannon's in a decade ago was Elliott
Gray in "Rosedale."