T. Allston Brown

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T. Allston Brown in his History of the American Stage
T. Allston Brown in his History of the American Stage

Thomas Allston Brown (1836–1918) was an American theater critic, newspaper editor, talent agent and manager, and theater historian, best known for his History of the American Stage, published in 1872. Brown was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He began his career as the Philadelphia correspondent and theater critic for the the top entertainment journal of the time, the New York Clipper. He freelanced for other show-business publications and published his own paper, called The Tattler.[1][2]

In 1860, Brown entered show business as the advance man for the Henry Cooper English Opera Company. He later worked for Gardner & Madigan's Circus as treasurer and manager of the box office.[1] During one circus performance, the assistant to the ropewalker Blondine went missing. Blondine's opening stunt was to walk a tightrope from the stage to the balcony with a person on his back. T. Allston Brown filled in for the missing helper, and the Baltimore Press dubbed him "Colonel" for the deed. Brown adopted the honorary title and used it for the remainder of his career.[3]

In 1863, Brown was named editor of the New York Clipper. He kept the post until 1872, when he retired from journalism. He next pursued a career as an agent and manager for entertainers. His clients included the famous female impersonator Ernest Byne, the Hanlon Brothers, and Mlle. Marie Aimee. Brown became co-owner of the Simmonds & Brown Dramatic Agency and continued to run the company after Simmonds died.[3]

As early as 1858, Brown had begun compiling stories and biographies of theatrical performers in the United States.[1] Much of his material came from players in the field, who supplied biographical sketches.[2] He began to write a book on the subject, and in 1870, he published the exhaustive History of the American Stage.[1][2] In 1906, he retired from show business to devote more time to history and writing.[3] He died in 1918.[1]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Cullen 147.
  2. ^ a b c Sentilles 122.
  3. ^ a b c Cullen 148.

[edit] References

  • Cullen, Frank, with Florence Hackman and Donald McNeilly (2007). Vaudeville Old & New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America, Vol. I. New York City: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-93853-8.
  • Sentilles, Renée M. (2003). Performing Menken: Adah Isaacs Menken and the Birth of American Celebrity. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-82070-7.
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