Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 10.djvu/316

 WALLACE

WALLACK

WALLACE, William Ross, poet, was born in Lexinjjton. Ky., in 1819. He attended Bloom- ington and South Hanover college. Indiana; suV)- sequently studied law in Lexington, Ky., and began practice in New York city in 1S41, devot- ing the most of his time, however, to literary pursuits, contributing to the Union Magazine, Harper's, the New York Ledger, and other publi- cations. He is the author of: Pcrdita, poem; Alban, a romance (1848); Mi-difations in Ameri- ca and other Poeins (1851); The Loved and Lost. His scattered poems include: TJie Sword of Bunker Hill (18G1); Keeji Stej) with the Music of the Union (1861), and The Liberty Bell (1862). He died New York city, 'Mv^y 5, 1881.

WALLACK, James William, actor, was born in London, England, Aug. 24. 179.J; son of AVil- liam and Elizabeth Field (Granger) "Wallack, His parents, brother and sisters were all actors of reputation, and although a naval career was chosen for him. he preferred to follow the family profession, and to that end was educated in the Academic theatre in Leicester Square, London, He appeared in juvenile roles at Drury Lane theatre, from 1807 until Feb. 24, 1809, when the building was burned; was engaged as low come- dian at tiie Royal theatre, Dublin, until 1812, when up<in the re-opening of Drury Lane he returned to that tlie.itrt^. playing Laertes to the Hamlet of EUiston, followed b}- the roles: Rob Roy, Rolla, Roderick Dhu, Petruchio.Mercutio, and Benedick. He was married in 1817 to a daughter of John John- stone, an Irish comedian and vocalist. She died in London in 1851. In 1818 Mr. Wallack came to the United .States, where he appeared in the prin- cipal cities, in the characters of Macbeth, Rolla, Hamlet, Richard III, Romeo, and in the leading roles in " The Stranger." " Pizarro," and •' The Gamester." He subsequently revisited Eng- land, at one time acting as manager of the Drury Lane theatre, and in November, 1828, played in the Arch Street theatre, Phila- delphia, Pa., and in the title role of " Rienzi " in the initial performance of that tragedy at the Park theatre. New York city, Jan. 7, 1829. During tiie years immediately following, he appeared alternately in London and New York, his interpretation of Don Cesar de Bazan in the former city in 1843 meeting with remarkable en- thusiasm. He was manager of the National theatre, New York city, 1837-39, and subse- quently of the company performing at Niblo's Garden, and played at the Park theatre, 1843-44. On Sept. 8, 1852, he opened Wallack's theatre, (formerly Brougham's lyceum), situated at the comer of Broadway and Broome streets, New York, which soon became the most popular play- house of the city, and which, Sept. 25, 1861, he removed to the comer of Broadwav and

Thirteenth streets (afterward the Star Theatre). Among the members of bis stock company were his son, John Lester Wallack (q.v.). Cliarles M. Walcot (q.v.), W. R. Blake, John Brougham, Malvina Praj" and Laura Keene. Among his most famous roles not already mentioned, were: Shylock, Martin Hey wood and The Scholar. He was known as the " Elder Wallack." He retired from the stage in 18G2, and died in New York city, Dec. 25. 18C4.

WALLACK, John Johnstone (Lester), actor, was born in New York city, Jan. 1, 1820; son of James William Wallack (q.v.). He was educated in England, and commissioned lieutenant in the British army in 1840, but soon abandoned his in- tended career for that of the stage. He made his first appearance with his father in the Eng- lish provinces under the name of Allan Field, about 1840, and was seen in Dublin in 1842. as Don Pedro in "Much Ado About Nothing," as- suming the name of John Wallack Lester. He was married to a sister of John Everett Millais, the noted English painter. He subsequently played in Edinburgh, and at the Hay market theatre, London, from Nov. 26, 1846, to 1847, when he came to the United States under the patronage of John Barnett, making his American debut at the opening of the New Broadway theatre. New York city, Sept. 27, 1847, as Sir Charles Coldstream in Dion Boucicaulfs comedy, " Used Up." His stage name at this time was John Lester Wallack. After a two years' en- gagement at the Broadway theatre, he appeared in various Shakespearean roles at the Bowery. Burton's, Niblo's and at Brougiiam's lyceum, of which his father became proprietor in 1852. and upon the latter's death in 1864, became manager of Wallack's (second) theatre. On Jan. 4, 1882, he opened his new theatre (afterward Palmer's) on the corner of Broadway and Thirtieth streets. New York city, the first performance being Sheridan's "School for Scandal." He retired from the management of his theatre on May 21, 1888, an account of failing health, and was ten- dered a dramatic testimonial in the production of "Hamlet" in the Metropolitan Opera house, the cast including Edwin Booth, Modjeska. John Gilbert, Lawrence Barrett, Rose Coghlan, Joseph Jefferson and W.J. Florence. In addition to his versatile ability as an actor, ^Ir. AVallack pos- sessed a tenor voice of pleasing quality. Among his principal roles were: Claude Melnotte in "The Lady of Lyons "; Harry Dorton in " The Road to Ruin"; Alfred Evelyn in "Money"; Don Felix in " The Wonder": Charles Surface in "The School for Scandal "; St. Pierre in " The Wife"; Young Marlowe in " She Stoops to Con- quer," and the leading character in " Monte Cristo." He is the author of original versions