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The 44 letters related to British theater in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, dating from 1773 to 1853. The collection is divided into five series: I. Letters to William Kenneth (8); II. Letters to or about Richard Brinsley Sheridan (3); III. Letters to James Winston (5); IV. Theatrical letters arranged alphabetically by sender (26); and V. Non-theatrica l letters (2). The two letters in the 5th series are a letter from a solicitor to Lady Emma Hamilton dated 1806 and a letter from Irish poet Thomas Moore dated 1832. Most of the theatrical letters deal with the engagement of players and theater personnel.
Organized by series.
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Identification of specific item; Date (if known); William Worthen Appleton papers ; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Gift of Professor William W. Appleton, 1969.
Source of acquisition--Appleton, Professor William W. Date of acquisition--1969. Accession number--M69.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processed 1969 and revised 1999.
Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 03/24/89.
Finding Aid Prepared by GC, February 11, 2000.
2009-06-26 File created.
2018-10-10 Updated and container list added, converted from HTML finding aid. kws
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
2021-03-30 Description of Thomas Moore letter added to the EAD container list from the earlier HTML finding aid by CCR.
William Worthen Appleton, born December 31 1915 in New York received his Masters 1939 and Ph. D. 1949 from Columbia University after graduating with a BA from Harvard University in 1938. He taught at Columbia from 1941 until 1977 having been appointed Professor Emeritus in 1976. His area of interest was early English Theater as evidenced by the several books he wrote and edited including (1960). and In 1969, Professor Appleton donated this collection of 44 letters to the Rare Book and Manuscript Library to augment the performing arts holdings of the Brander Matthews Collection. The letters relate for the most part to early 19th century British theater and in the words of Professor Appleton provide 'a sort of cross-section of rather typical professional theatrical correspondence of that era.
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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| Name |
|---|
| Kenneth, William |
| Milliken, Richard, 1783 or 1784-1834 |
| Moore, Thomas, 1779-1852 |
| Winston, James |
| Subject |
| Poets, Irish |
| Theater -- England |
| Theatrical agents -- England |
| Theatrical managers -- England |
William Kenneth appears to be a London theatrical agent for the provincial circuit. The letters usually concern the engagement of performers by provincial managers or, as in the case of Edwin Simpson, requests for plays and musical pieces to be sent to New York. The 8 letters are in chronological order.
Box 1
3 p., a.l.s. Discussing performers including the young Kean
Box 1
1 p. a.l.s. About getting players for Plymouth and Bristol
Box 1
3 p., a.l.s. Authorizing a Miss Phillips to accept offer from Mr. MacReady. [Actor/manager Charles William MacReady, 1793-1873]
Box 1
3 p., a.l.s. Regarding engagements
Box 1
2 a. l. s. Asking that music and titles be sent. Simpson was manager of the Park Theater
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s. On reverse, contract for theaters in New Orleans.
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s.
Box 1
1 p., a. fragment s. Discussing business and mentions Stephen Price who with Simpson managed the Park Theater. See also letter dated May 31, 1832
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1861), dramatist, theater manager and statesman, is best known for his 1777 play.
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Asking for money
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s. Complimenting him on his comic opera [The Duenna]
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. About father, Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816)
The actor and theater manager James Winston (1773?-1843) became the proprietor of the Richmond (Surrey) Theatre in 1799 under the name of James Neville. In 1805, as James Winston, he purchased an interest in the Haymarket Theatre in London. From 1819 to 1927 he was acting manager of the Drury Lane Theater on behalf of the actor/manager and lessee, Robert William Elliston.
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Refusing permission to perform masquerade
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Asking to be engaged
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s. Faucit and wife will remain with Norwich Company.
Box 1
1 p., Regarding his engagement at the Haymarket for the 1814 season
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Concerning a promissory Note from Mr. Elliston. Actor/manager Robert William Elliston (1774-1831) was the lessee and Dunn the treasurer of the Theater Royal, Drury Lane
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Concerning casting
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s. Requesting players
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Proposing the publication of a writer's Notebook
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. End of letter asking for a residence and to be met at the train. Cushman was acting in London 1845-1849
Box 1
1 p., a.n.s. Requesting back pay. Peake was the treasurer for Drury Lane appointed by Richard Sheridan.
Box 1
2 p. a.l.s. Requesting employment
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Receipt of a loan. The Margravine put on private theatrical events
Box 1
3 p., a.l.s. Letter of introduction
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Theater job recommendation for Peter May
Box 1
1 p., a.n.s. Pay Mr. Prickett by order of Mr. Harris [Thomas Harris, Manager]
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s. Invitation to visit Brighton
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Plans to see play at St. James. Harley was in the St. James Theatre Company for a short time c. 1835
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s. Concerning terms of a lease
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s. Complimenting his performance of Henry VIII at the Drury Lane. Cooper's first performance at Drury Lane took place November 1, 1820
Box 1
3 p., a.l.s. Is altering play in favor of the part Mrs. Pope plays. Possibly referring to Lady Eleanor Irwin, a part Mrs. Pope originated in the playEveryone Has His Fault.
Box 1
a.env.s., empty envelope
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Unable to hire. Knight at the time was leasing the Liverpool Theatre
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Asks for appointment to discuss a part
Box 1
1 p., a.n.s. Receipt for Vimonda
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Wants to buy print of his playing in Shakespeare's King John
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s. Apology for the behavior of Miss Cubitt. Raymond is possibly the biographer of the actor/manager Robert William Elliston (1774-1831)
Box 1
3 p., a.l.s. Asking Webster to advise his brother to produce Stephens' playThe Patriotnext season at the Haymarket. Quotes from a letter from the actor-manager William Charles MacReady. The brother in question may be Benjamin N. Webster (1797-1882) who was managing the Haymarket at the time when another brother, Frederick Webster, was stage manager.
Box 1
3 p., a.l.s. Complimenting his performances. Robson played Desmarets inPlot and Passionby Tom Taylor and Jem Bags inWandering Minstrelby Henry Mayhew, both in 1853
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s. Will accomodate him at any time
Box 1
2 p., a.l.s. Terms for engagement
Box 1
1 p., a.l.s. Has Elliston signed articles for Yarnold? Elliston is actor-manager Robert William Elliston (1774-1831).
Box 1
3 p., a.l.s. Statement of efforts on behalf of Lady Hamilton
Box 1
[n.p.], 1 p., a.l.s. Note: General news and progress of book.