Richard Walton Tully

Richard Walton Tully
Born May 7, 1877
Nevada City, Nevada
Died February 1, 1945(1945-02-01) (aged 67)
New York City
Nationality American
Education University of California
Occupation Playwright
Spouse Eleanor Gates[1]

Richard Walton Tully (May 7, 1877 – February 1, 1945) was an American playwright. His best known works were the 1912 play The Bird of Paradise which caused a long running court case over alleged plagiarism. A schoolteacher named Grace Fender was initially successful in persuading the court that Tully's play was based on her play In Hawaii, however the case was reversed on appeal.[2]

Biology

He was born on May 7, 1877 in Nevada City, Nevada. Tully was married to another playwright Eleanor Gates until he divorced her in 1914.[1]

Tully retired to breed horses. He died on February 1, 1945 in New York City at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "R.W. Tully Seeks Divorce. Playwright Sues Eleanor Gates on Ground of Desertion". New York Times. 24 March 1914. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F2091FFD3D5E13738DDDAC0A94DB405B848DF1D3. Retrieved 16 October 2010. "Richard Walton Tully, playwright, instituted suit in the Superior Court here to-day for a divorce from Eleanor Gates Tully, the author. The charge is desertion." 
  2. ^ Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Tully, Richard Walton" The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Retrieved October 16, 2010 from Encyclopedia.com:
  3. ^ "Richard W. Tully, Dramatist, is Dead; Author of 'Bird of Paradise,' Was the Victor in Notable Plagiarism Suit Here Law Career Put Aside Decision Is Reversed". New York Times. February 2, 1945. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50E10FA3F5C10728DDDAB0894DA405B8588F1D3. Retrieved 2010-10-17. "Richard Walton Tully of 50 West Eighty-seventh Street, dramatist, author of the stage success "The Bird of Paradise," over which raged one of the bitterest plagiarism suits on record, died Wednesday night at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. His age was 67."