Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-12
LILY LANCTRY, NOTED ACTRESS,
SUCCUMBS TO HEART DISEASE
Jersey Lily" Recalled as
One of the Loveliest W0m-
en- of Her Day.
Lady de Battle, Almost II,
Was Stricken in London
Early This Winter.

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON, February 12.-An Evening
News dispatch from Monte Carlo today
stated that Lady de Battle, more widely
known as Lily Langtry, noted actress,
was dead of heart disease.
The Jersey Lily" as she was known
to thousands Of her admirers, was one
of the loveliest women of her day and
had a wide circle Of friends, including
King Edward and other members Of
royal families in Europe.
She conquered America as we'll as the
rest of the English theater-
going world in her numerous tours a
generation and more ago, and remained
great public favorite to the time Of
her retirement about Is years ago.
Lady de Battle, who was almost II,
was stricken Ill in London early this
Winter and left for the Riviera ap-
last month. The report of her death
came as shock to London and Eng
land generally.
Beauty Attracts Prince.
"The Jersey Lily" was the daughter
Of the Very Rev. w. G. E. lie Breton,
dean of the Isle of Jersey, England.
She was born october IS, 1852, and
when only Is married Edward Langtry,
a wealthy English merchant. Received
into London society, her beauty at
tracted the attention of the Prince of
Wales, later King Edward VII, and she
often appeared at court ceremonies.
In 1881, when she decided to become
a professional actress, having achieved
success in amateur theatricalS, her de-
but at the Haymarket Theater, London,
was a great social event and was at
tended by the prince and his friends.
The play was "She Stops to Conquer"
In which Mrs. Langtry played the part
Of Kate HardcaStle. From society
leader she became famous actress at
a bound. and clever manager as well,
for in the succeeding six years she &C
cumulated more than 100000 touring
the United States and Canada. Her
principal plays on this tour were las
You Like It." in which she played Rosa
lind; Cleopatra" Esther Sandraz, "
Lady Clancarty" and Sydney Grundy's
1.-THE Degenerates," in which she had
the leading role. In 1905 and 1906 she
played in repertoire with her own COM
pany in Africa. Later she appeared in
Mrs. behring's Divorce" by Percy Fen
dali, and in 1915 filled vaudeville en-
gagement in the United States.
Inherits Title.
Mr.. Langtry died in 1897. They had
previously been divorced. Two years
later she married Hugo Gerald de Battle,
eldest son Of Sir Henry de Battle, who
was nearly as years her junior. Upon
the death of his father he inherited his
title, and the former Mrs. Langtry
thereafter was known as Lady de Battle.
Lady de Battle was at one time owner
of an extensive racing stable at Regal
Lodge, In Kentford, Suffolk, England,
near Newmarket, and raced under the
name of mfr. Jersey" Her most famous
horse, Norman, won number OF Eng
Cup at Ascot. She once owned large
ranch in California and a Summer
home at Long Branch, N. j., where she
entertained lavishly for a time IN Bo-
Among the plays, other than those
already named, In which Lady de Battle
appeared were: ours" Q882), IAN
UNEQUAL Match" (l8s3), Princess
George" $3.50, 1.-THE School for Scan
dal" 1885, peril and Enemies
(I886), "The Lady of Lyons (188D
Lady Barter" (1891), Linda Grey
1888, Gossip" 1885, "Mademoiselle
Mars" (1902). 1.-THE Cross Ways" Q9O3)
1.-THE Walls of Jericho" Q905). THE
Second Mrs. Tanqueray" l1906), "a
Fearful JOY" d90sl, Between the
Niehtfall and the Light" and 1.-THE Sins
of Society" (19ll) and "The Vision of
Delight" (I912). Since the latter date
Lady de Battle had appeared occasion
ally In vaudeville.
Lily Langtry retired from the stage
in 1915, although occasionally she ap-
peared In vaudeville, going to the United
States In 1915 for vaudeville tour.
In Libel Case.
From 1916 until 1927, her name did
not appear often in dispatches, but In
that year she was mentioned In connec-
ton with a libel case brought by Capt
Peter Wright against Lord Gladstone,
son of the late william E. Gladstone,
England's grand old man." Capt.
Wright had linked the prime minister's
name with that of Lily Langtry in a
biography. Lord Gladstone, 73-year-old
son Of the elder Gladstone, publicly re-
ferred to Capt. Wright as a liar, cow
ara dilo 1OOA, nAN VIC ASSA QUA" Az
suited.
In February, 1927, Lily Langtry, then
at Monte Carlo, sent a telegram re-
pudiating testimony of Capt. Wright
that he had been told the famous ac-
tress at one time was intimate with
the elder Gladstone. The telegram
read: II strongly repudiate the SANDER
Gus accusation of Peter Wright" The
expression was the first that had come
from Lady de Battle in many years and
focused public attention once again
upon the woman who for so many years
had triumphed both on the stage and
in society.
Previous to the receipt Of the tele-
gram, Capt. Wright had expressed re-
gret for bringing the actress name into
the case.