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Creator
Leslie, Elsie, 1881-1966
Call number
*T-Mss 1978-004
Physical description
2.8 linear feet (4 boxes)
Preferred Citation
Elsie Leslie papers, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library
Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Child actress, best known for playing the title roles in the original LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY (1888-1889) and THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER, Elsie Leslie returned to the stage as a young adult to star in THE RIVALS (1898) and other plays. Born Elsie Leslie Lyde, she was married twice: in 1901 to actor Jefferson Winter, and in 1918 to banker Edwin J. Milliken. The collection contains letters to Elsie Leslie from friends and admirers, publicity photographs of Leslie as a child and an adult actress, and her autograph album containing letters, photographs, clippings, autographs and cards. Most of the letters concern personal matters: invitations, travels and health, though there is some discussion of possible roles and compliments on her performances. There is an extensive file of letters from playwright Louis N. Parker. Other correspondents include Poultney Bigelow, members of the Samuel Clemens family, Julie Harris, Helen Keller, Julia Marlowe, Schuyler Mathews, and Alexander Woollcott. There is a small amount of third party correspondence, primarily letters to her second husband, Edwin Milliken.

Scope and arrangement

The Elsie Leslie papers are arranged in three series:

  • I. Correspondence

    This series contains incoming letters to Elsie Leslie, mostly from friends on personal matters: invitations, travels, health, etc., though there is some discussion of possible roles and compliments on her performances. Includes a few letters to Leslie when she was a child actress. There is an extensive file of letters [1911-1942] from playwright Louis N. Parker to Leslie. Other correspondents include Poultney Bigelow, members of the Samuel Clemens family, Julie Harris, Helen Keller, Schuyler Mathews, Julia Marlowe Sothern, and Alexander Woollcott. There is also a small amount of third party correspondence, primarily letters to her husband, Edwin Milliken.

  • II. "Autographs for Elsie Leslie Lyde"

    One bound volume printed in gold across the cover contains correspondence, photographs, clippings, autographs, and cards as well as notes added by the donor, Leslie's editor.

  • Photographs

    Consists of six portraits [1889] of Elsie Leslie as a child of eight that were used for publicity, ten portraits as Lydia Languish in THE RIVALS [1898], and twenty- one taken in 1901 or after including ten portraits as a young woman, some in unidentified roles, one from THE CHRISTIAN [1901], five as Katharine in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW [1903], two from ALIAS JIMMY VALENTINE [1909], two from THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH, and one with George Arliss from DISRAELI [1912]. Two of the portraits of Leslie as Lydia Languish are in frames she created herself: one is embroidered with forget-me-nots and the other is painted with watercolor over cut-out figures.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Papers: gift, Jane Douglass

Using the collection

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor