Francis Wilson letters to DeWitt Miller

1890-1911

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, 1890-1911, to his friend DeWitt Miller, book collector. Miller is addressed by his nickname "Jahu". The letters are primarily concerned with personal matters, Francis Wilson career as an actor, and the family hobby of collecting books, autographs, 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.