The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-25
JAMES BOOTH ROBERTS.
Recent Death of the Oldest OF Ameri-
can Actors.

can Actors.
NEW YORK. Sept 25-Jamcs Booth
Roberts, who died in Lakewood y Y. on
the shores Of Lake Chautauqua. on Sat
urday. September i. and who was buried
in Philadelphia. September i. was the
oldest actor In America. and a generation
ago was one Of the best-kuown tragedians
on the English-speaking stage.
He was born in Newcastle, Del. in 1915,
two OF his brothers being the late Bishop
Roberts. Of Philadelphia. and the late
Gen. Joseph Roberts. who served with
distinction during the civil war A third
brother is still living in Jersey City.
Mr. Roberts made his first appearance
on the stage AZ the age Of seventeen,
when he played Richmond 20 the Rich
ard III of Junius BrutUs Booth in the
Walnut Street Theatre. in Philadelphia.
He rapidly attained eminence IN his pro-
fession. and at various times and places
was one Of the leading stock stars. play
ing with Edwin Forrest, Charles Kean.
William Charles Macready. Lawrence
Barrett. and Edwin Booth.
He made a tour Of England IN the early
fftiss, appearing In London and the
provinces and playing Othello. Shylock.
and Sir Giles Overrcach in MassinEer
a New Way TO Pay Old Debts" In this
last character he was hailed 10y the Eng
Iish critics as the equal Of T. /. Davcn-
port
MT. Roberts was the first American ac-
tor 10 auuear in Faust. playing Mephis-
t0pheIes in translation Of his own He
was also the creator Of M.uh-s-o when
the BLACK Crook made it's nrst appear
ance IN America
II was always said Of James Booth Rob
! erts that had IT not been Tor ms Glmind a.
tive stature ne would nave RANKED th lAe
public estimation with. and gained the
fame Of FDTrtst k'au- and Booth He
was about feet inches IN height but
was equipped with an enormous and i'm
posing head and was compelled TO wear
an Nz-iuCh hat
He was noted as q fine reader and in
parts which We're not associated with
men OF great PHYSIQUE gained public rec
King Lear. Richard III. Sir Giles over
reach and Sir Edward Mortimer in The
! Iron Chest" Mr.. Roberts was partlcu.
larly happy as Mare Antony IN the forum
| scene in Julius Caesar. and was pronOunc
I cd the finest Marc Antony Of his day, not
| even excepting Edwin Forrest.
Mr.. Roberts retired from the stag,
! twenty-five years ago at the age II sixty
/ one and of late years had made his home
with his two nieces a. ZIG North Ihlr-
tCsuth Street Philadelphia. He also be
came a lecturer on Shakespeare and tht
old English poets al a Catholic college iT
! Philadelphia. He was never married. He
knew all the great lights or the English
/ stage Of the nineteenth century.
! Among the men now living who affec,
/ tiouatcly remember him are Sir Henry
| Irving Bran Stoker. William Winter
! and Charles Henry Meltzer
! Mr. Roberts was with Everett King. one
! Of the organizers Of the Shakespeart
| Birthday Club. which was founded two
! wears ago and which has as it's two hon,
/ Urary members Emperor William Of Ger,
many and Sarah Bernhard 10 was with
! the assistance Of the members OF this
! club that Mr. Roberts had planned 20 give
/ one presentation Of "Shylock." with him
/ self in the title role. IN Philadelphia thi.
coming winter. II was 10 have been his
farewell 20 the stage.
| HIS last public appearance was on Apri
p in Philadelphia, when ne presided n
| the annual dinner Of the Shakespear,
] Club. Toward the close Of the dinner h,
said sadly
| Il am the last Of the autumn leaves.
/ shall be waited away before we NEE
| again"