Edith Wynne Matthison
Encyclopedia
Edith Wynne Matthison was an Anglo-American
stage actress who also appeared in two silent films.
, and began at 21 to appear in musical comedy, later joining Ben Greet
's company, playing leading parts in The Three Musketeers and Money.
She specialized in Shakespeare and classic drama almost from the start of her career. She was acting in the same play, The Merchant of Venice
, with the legendary actor Sir Henry Irving
the night he died. Irving nearly died in Matthison's arms. She has appeared in Greek and mystery plays, old English comedies, and modern plays. In the United States in 1904 she appeared in Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer
.
Matthison married the playwright Charles Rann Kennedy
in 1898, acted in many of his plays, and advised him during their development. They both taught at Bennett Junior College
in Millbrook, New York
. At one time her niece Gladys Edith Wynne was married to the stage and silent film star Milton Sills
. Matthison died in Los Angeles
on September 23, 1955.
Anglo-American
Anglo-Americanis often used in legal, economic and political writing to refer to those countries that have similar legal regimes that are generally based on the English common law...
stage actress who also appeared in two silent films.
Biography
She was educated in King Edward's Grammar School and Midland InstituteBirmingham and Midland Institute
The Birmingham and Midland Institute , now on Margaret Street in the city centre of Birmingham, England was a pioneer of adult scientific and technical education and today offers Arts and Science lectures, exhibitions and concerts. It is a registered charity...
, and began at 21 to appear in musical comedy, later joining Ben Greet
Ben Greet
Sir Philip Barling "Ben" Greet was a Shakespearean actor, director, and impresario.-Early life:The younger son of Captain William Greet RN and his wife, Sarah Barling, Greet was born on board HMS Crocodile, a Royal Navy recruiting ship tied up at the Tower of London. He was educated at the Royal...
's company, playing leading parts in The Three Musketeers and Money.
She specialized in Shakespeare and classic drama almost from the start of her career. She was acting in the same play, The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is a tragic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic...
, with the legendary actor Sir Henry Irving
Henry Irving
Sir Henry Irving , born John Henry Brodribb, was an English stage actor in the Victorian era, known as an actor-manager because he took complete responsibility for season after season at the Lyceum Theatre, establishing himself and his company as...
the night he died. Irving nearly died in Matthison's arms. She has appeared in Greek and mystery plays, old English comedies, and modern plays. In the United States in 1904 she appeared in Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer
She Stoops to Conquer
She Stoops to Conquer is a comedy by the Irish author Oliver Goldsmith, son of an Anglo-Irish vicar, first performed in London in 1773. The play is a great favourite for study by English literature and theatre classes in Britain and the United States. It is one of the few plays from the 18th...
.
Matthison married the playwright Charles Rann Kennedy
Charles Rann Kennedy (playwright)
Charles Rann Kennedy was an Anglo-American dramatist.-Biography:...
in 1898, acted in many of his plays, and advised him during their development. They both taught at Bennett Junior College
Bennett College (New York)
Bennett College was a women's college founded in 1890 and located in the town of Millbrook in New York. The school closed in 1978.-History:...
in Millbrook, New York
Millbrook, New York
Millbrook is a village in Dutchess County, New York, United States. It is often said to be a "low-key version of the Hamptons" and one of the wealthiest towns in New York State. Millbrook's estimated town population was 1,551 in 2008. Millbrook is located in the Hudson Valley, an hour and thirty...
. At one time her niece Gladys Edith Wynne was married to the stage and silent film star Milton Sills
Milton Sills
Milton Sills was a highly successful American stage and film actor of the early twentieth century....
. Matthison died in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
on September 23, 1955.
External links
- NY Public Library Billy Rose Collection
- selected portraits of Edith Wynne Matthison
- Edith Wynne Matthison at North American Theatre Online
- Press Photo 1919