History of Montclair, (Essex County) New Jersey United States of America

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Laura Keene, actress, was born in Chelsea, London, England, in 1820. She was known in private life as Mary Moss. She made her first appearance as an actress on the stage of the Lyceum theatre, London, in 1845, while it was under the management of Madam Vestris. She appeared as Pauline in "The Lady of Lyons" in 1851 and in 1852 came to the United States, making her first appearance at Wallack's theatre, New York city. She became favorably known throughout the United States as a light comedy actress, and in 1854, having played in the principal eastern cities, made a tour to California and from there went to Australia with Edwin Booth and other famous players. She was manager of the Varieties theatre in New York city in 1855, and leased the Olympic theatre, 1855-63, which was known for a time as Laura Keene's theatre. She brought out many new plays there, among which was "Our American Cousin" in 1858, with Joseph Jefferson and Edward A. Sothern in the cast, and in 1860 "The Seven Sisters," which ran 16 nights. During the presentation of "Our American Cousin" at Ford's theatre, Washington, D.C., April 14, 1865, President Lincoln was assassinated while seated in a private box witnessing the play, and Miss Keene was the first to reach the box and give assistance to the dying President. In 1868 she visited England. She appeared in the principal cities of the United States on her return from England in 1868 and in 1871 she retired from the stage. She published a weekly art journal in New York for one year and arranged several plays. She was married in 1847 to Henry Wellington Taylor and in 1857 to John Lutz. She died at Montclair, N.J., Nov. 4, 1873.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Montclair, (Essex County) New Jersey

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