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Creator
Gibson, Robert J
Call number
*T-Mss 1997-025
Physical description
.75 linear feet (2 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Robert J. Gibson Collection of Lillian Russell Materials, *T-Mss 1997-025, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

Robert J. Gibson collected this material on Lillian and Dorothy Russell. This is a small collection notable mainly for the unpublished biography of Lillian and her daughter Dorothy Russell and letters written by Lillian Russell to her daughter and her sister Susan Westford.

Biographical/historical information

Lillian Russell, actress and singer, the first great prima donna of the American musical stage, known as "The American Beauty" and "Airy Fairy Lillian," was born Helen Louise Leonard in Clinton, Iowa, December 4, 1861. Her father was an owner and editor of a local newspaper and her mother was an advocate of women's rights. She grew up with her mother in Chicago and New York after her parents' divorce. She made her professional debut in the chorus of an 1879 production of H.M.S. Pinafore and then appeared in vaudeville at Tony Pastor's Theater under the stage name Lillian Russell. She played in England as well as the United States and soon made a name for herself in burlesque and light opera. By the end of the century she had starred in 24 musicals including Polly, Pepita, Dorothy, The Grand Duchess, Princess Nicotine, An American Beauty, and The Wedding Day, many written expressly for her.

Known for her flamboyant personality as well as her beauty, Russell was notorious for not paying bills or honoring contracts and walking out on shows and husbands. Of the latter, she had four. By the turn of the century with her popularity on the wane somewhat, she joined Weber and Fields music hall, remaining there until 1903. The only song she ever recorded: Come Down, My Evening Star, was from their 1902 production of Twirly-Whirly. In 1904 she starred in Lady Teazle, a musical version of The School for Scandal, that was written for her. This was her last performance in a musical except for a reunion appearance with Weber and Fields in 1912. For the remainder of her life she continued in straight plays and vaudeville. She died on June 6, 1922 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Lillian Russell had one daughter born ca. 1883 and named for her mother, who later took the stage name of Dorothy Russell. Dorothy's stage career was short and unsuccessful. She was best known as the doted-on daughter of her famous mother and for her escapades that were reported in the press. She had six husbands and died on June 8, 1954.

Scope and arrangement

In his efforts to write a biography of Lillian and Dorothy Russell, Robert J. Gibson came into possession of some manuscript letters by Lillian Russell mainly to her sister Susan or her daughter Dorothy, letters to Dorothy primarily from her stepfather Alex Moore, and letters from James F. Gibson, who may have been one of Dorothy's husbands, to his wife. Some of the letters are stamped "Orphans Court of Allegheny Co. March 5, 1931" and were probably purchased by Gibson years later. The collection includes these as well as ephemera he collected and the typescript biography in various drafts that he wrote. This unpublished biography, The Shadow of a Star includes Part I. The Star (on Lillian as told to Gibson by her daughter, Dorothy) and Part II. The Shadow (on Dorothy).

The collection also includes a series of photographs, many inscribed to J. Vandervoort Sloan. Jack Sloan (1881-1930) was a theatrical manager for the actor William Faversham, as well as a reviewer for Drama Magazine, and a Chicago theater manager. The pictures include many noted actors and opera singers of the time including the two Russells. Gibson received these and the autographs from Sloan's nephew, James McCrea, in response to his inquiry in the New York Times Book Review in 1984 seeking photographs, letters or personal recollections for a biography on Dorothy Russell.

The Robert J. Gibson collection of Lillian Russell materials are arranged in three series:

  • Series I: Correspondence and personal papers
    ca. 1930-1984
    2 folders

    The Gibson correspondence reflects his efforts to collect material on Lillian and Dorothy Russell in order to write a biography. Included as well are two personal items: a certificate of church membership and a pamphlet of poems by Gibson.

  • Series II: Writings
    Undated
    8 folders

    Consists of typescript drafts of his unpublished book, The Shadow of a Star: Part. I. The Star (Lillian) and Part II. The Shadow (Dorothy), some with handwritten revisions, typescript drafts of an article he wrote on Lillian Russell, and related notes.

  • Series III: Collected materials
    32 folders

    This series is made up of the materials collected by Robert J. Gibson about Lilliam and Dorothy Russell. Included is correspondence, photographs, clippings and programs.

Administrative information

Custodial history

Material was collected by Robert J. Gibson and bequeathed to Philip C. Gamble, both of East Hampton, New York. Mr. Gamble gave the material to The Billy Rose Theatre Division of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts on July 30, 1997.

Source of acquisition

Papers: gift, Philip C. Gamble, 07/30/1997

Processing information

Processed by Archival Staff.

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

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Access restrictions

Photocopying prohibited.