Francis Wilson letters to Otto Fleischner

1889-1909

Francis Wilson (1854-1935), actor and author, was a member of the legitimate comedy group at the Chestnut Street Theatre, 1887-1888, in Philadelphia, and became involved in comic opera as the leading actor of McCaull Opera Company, 1885-1889. He subsequently organized his own company, was president of the Actor's Theatre, and wrote several biographies, e.g., John Wilkes Booth and Joseph Jefferson, and drama, e.g., "The Magic Ring.". The collection contains Wilson's letters, 1889-1905, to his friend Otto Fleischner (1852-1939), assistant librarian of the Boston Public Library. The letters are primarily concerned with personal matters, Francis Wilson's career as an actor, Wilson's interest in Joseph Jefferson, and the family hobby of collecting book-plates and monograms. The letters were written in New Rochelle, New York, at Wilson's home, "The Orchard" and while Wilson was on road tours. Included as well, are thank you notes from Wilson's children to Otto Fleischner for gifts.