C. J. Bulliet papers, 1899-1952

Though best known as the influential art critic for The Chicago Daily News, Clarence Joseph (C.J.) Bulliet began as a drama critic and served as business manager for Robert Bruce Mantell's touring Shakespeare company between 1912 and 1923. Born in Corydon, Indiana in 1883, Bulliet changed his name from 'Bulleit' after World War I to escape any connection with Germany. After graduating from Indiana University in 1905, Bulliet embarked on a newspaper career, serving as a reporter for The Louisville Herald and The Indianapolis Star, where he worked from 1906-1911.

After reviewing Robert Bruce Mantell's production of Othello, Bulliet wrote the acclaimed Shakespearean star a letter, which sparked a connection that led to Bulliet's appointment as Mantell's business manager and biographer. As business manager between 1912 and 1923, Bulliet arranged the logistics and wrote press releases for Mantell's touring Shakespeare productions which traveled across the United States. When World War I halted the production, Bulliet worked as a press representative for D.W. Griffith's film The Birth of a Nation. Bulliet also worked on Mantell's biography throughout the tour, resulting in the publication of Robert Mantell's Romance in 1918, Bulliet's first published book.

Mantell was a celebrated Shakespearean actor who was especially known for his Lear and Richard III. Born in Scotland in 1854, Mantell veered towards the stage after a tumultuous adolescence and began his career as Francisco in Hamlet. Celebrated Shakespearean actress Madame Modjeska supported Mantell in New York, commenting that his Tybalt was "a stunner, and should not be killed". Mantell shot to fame in Fedora in 1883 and achieved acclaim for roles in Shakespeare and melodrama through the rest of the 19th century, before he became exiled from New York after an acrimonious alimony dispute. His return as Richard III to the Princess Theatre in 1904 was a triumph, with Mantell reputedly supported (according to his legend) by the ghosts of tragedian's past who cheered him from the audience.

After serving as Mantell's manager, Bulliet returned to journalism, writing for he Louisville Herald again from 1920 and moving to Chicago to write for The Chicago Evening Post in 1923, where he served as its editor and drama critic. When the Post was sold and became The Chicago Daily News in 1932, Bulliet was appointed its art critic. Art increasingly usurped Bulliet's interest in drama and Bulliet quickly became the most influential art critic in Chicago, supplementing his journalism with popular publications such as Apples and Madonnas: Emotional Expression in Modern Art (1927) and Paintings, an Introduction to Art (1934). Bulliet died in 1952.