Edwin Booth

Date of Birth: November 13, 1833

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: June 7, 1893

Biography

Edwin Booth was an American actor who became one of the most famous and revered tragedians of the 19th century. Born into a theatrical family, Booth was the son of the acclaimed British actor Junius Brutus Booth. Edwin Booth’s career was marked by his extraordinary portrayals of Shakespearean characters, particularly Hamlet, which he performed over 100 times in his lifetime. Despite the shadow cast by his brother John Wilkes Booth’s assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Edwin Booth’s reputation as a brilliant actor remained intact. He founded Booth’s Theatre in New York City, which became a landmark of American theater. Edwin Booth’s legacy continues to influence the world of acting, and his contributions to the arts are still celebrated today.

5 Interesting Facts about Edwin Booth

1. Edwin Booth saved Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, from being hit by a train in 1864.

2. He was a member of the famous Booth theatrical family, which included his father Junius Brutus Booth and his brother John Wilkes Booth.

3. Edwin Booth’s portrayal of Hamlet is considered one of the greatest in the history of American theater.

4. He founded Booth’s Theatre in New York City, which was known for its luxurious design and advanced stage technology.

5. Despite the scandal of his brother assassinating President Lincoln, Edwin Booth continued to have a successful career and remained respected in the theatrical community.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edwin Booth

1. “When you are older you will learn that the first duty of man is to conquer fear; you must get rid of fear, you can’t work with fear.”

2. “An actor is a sculptor who carves in snow.”

3. “Our acts our angels are, or good or ill, our fatal shadows that walk by us still.”

4. “I have learned to think calmly and to act without passion. I have learned to love humanity.”

5. “The best time to stop talking is when the other person is waiting to speak.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Edwin Booth’s net worth was estimated to be around $500,000, a significant sum in the 19th century, equivalent to several million dollars today.

Children

Edwin Booth had one daughter, Edwina Booth Grossman, born in 1861. She wrote a biography of her father and remained dedicated to preserving his legacy after his death.