BOOTH, JOHN WILKES

Booth, John Wilkes: translation

(1838-1865)

   The darkly attractive tragedian, son of Junius Brutus Booth, was born on his father's farm near Baltimore, Maryland. He made his debut in Baltimore, then joined the stock company at Philadelphia's Arch Street Theatre. Billed as a star for his New York debut at Wallack's Theatre in 1862, he transfixed audiences with his intense portrayal of Richard III. He made his last stage appearance at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., performing in a benefit for John McCullough. He is largely remembered to posterity as the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln during a performance of Our American Cousin by Laura Keene's company at Ford's Theatre on 14 April 1865. Although his life ended well before the modernist era, Booth was frequently referred to or appears as a character in many plays and motion pictures to the present day.

   See also Booth, Edwin; Booth, Junius Brutus, Jr.; Reignolds, Kate.