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William Meredith collection of Philadelphia theatrical commentaries

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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
Ms. Coll. 61
Repository:
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Extent:
0.6 linear feet (2 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
William Meredith collection of Philadelphia theatrical commentaries, 1852-1857, Ms. Coll. 61, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania
Date:
1852-1857 (inclusive)
Creator:
Meredith, William M. (William Morris) and Meredith, William
Form:
Commentaries
Abstract:
The William Meredith collection of Philadelphia theatrical commentaries dates from December 1852 to January 1957 and contains 119 longhand commentaries on theatrical performances written either by William Morris Meredith (1799-1873), a Philadelphia lawyer and politician, or his son, William Keppele Meredith.

William Morris Meredith, Sr. (1799-1873) was a prominent Philadelphia lawyer and politician who briefly served as United States Secretary of the Treasury under the Taylor administration between March 1849 and July 1850. Meredith, Sr. graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1812, at the age of 13, and was admitted to the bar in 1817, where he eventually became President of the Philadelphia Bar Association. He served in several political positions, including a minority position in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the president of the Philadelphia City Council, and the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, among others.

A note from the donor, Horace Howard Furness Jayne, (located in Box 1 Folder 1) suggests that the collection may also have been created by William Meredith, Sr.'s son, William Keppele Meredith, since the senior William Meredith was an active lawyer at the time and may not have been able to attend and comment on so many theatrical performances in such great detail due to his busy schedule.

Horace Howard Furness Jayne, the donor of this collection, was the grandson of the prominent Philadelphia Shakespeare scholar Horace Howard Furness.

The William Meredith collection of Philadelphia theatrical commentaries dates from December 1852 to January 1957 and contains 119 longhand commentaries on theatrical performances, some of which contain references to multiple performances and all of which are signed and dated. The commentaries are generally in chronological order, and most of the performances took place in Philadelphia, with the greatest number being at the Walnut Street Theatre; although several were at the Chestnut Street Theatre and the Arch Street Theatre. Through these commentaries Meredith offers his opinions on the performances and performers, many of whom were famous actors during their time. Meredith's reviews are often scathing, although they occasionally include verses of praise for Meredith's favorite actors, most notably a "Miss Gougenheim." The collection also includes a brief description of the history and contents of the collection, written in September 1974 by Horace Howard Furness Jayne, grandson of the Philadelphia Shakespeare scholar Horace Howard Furness, which is located in Box 1 Folder 1.

Gift of Horace Howard Furness Jayne, 1974.

Historical Society of Philadelphia: Meredith Family Papers, 1756-1964

Library Company of Philadelphia: American Theatre Playbill Collection, 1826-1873

Washington University in St. Louis: William Meredith Collection, 1946-1961

Organization
Subject

Publisher
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Finding Aid Author
Molly B. Hutt
Finding Aid Date
2015 April 7
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Collection Inventory

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History and description of the collection by Horace Howard Furness Jayne (donor), 1974 September.
Box 1 Folder 1
Lady of Lyons, The Jacobite, and a violin performance, Walnut St. Theatre, 1852 December 4.
Box 1 Folder 2
Unnamed comedy, Naval Engagements, Two Grand Divertisements, and The Celebrated Troupe of French and Spanish Dancers, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 January 3.
Box 1 Folder 3
Satan in Paris and The Irish Emigrant, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 January 4.
Box 1 Folder 4
Much Ado About Nothing, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 January 5.
Box 1 Folder 5
She Stoops to Conquer and "The Dancers", Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 January 6.
Box 1 Folder 6
She Would & She Would Not, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 January 14.
Box 1 Folder 7
[She Would & She Would Not] and The Honey Moon, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 January 15.
Box 1 Folder 8
King Henry IV, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 January 31.
Box 1 Folder 9
The Kentuckian and another unnamed comedy, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 February 3.
Box 1 Folder 10
[Henry IV] and a comedy, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 February 4.
Box 1 Folder 11
The Advocate and a performance by a "Chinese Troupe", Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 February 7.
Box 1 Folder 12
Grand Equestrian Dramatic Spectacle, Welsh's Circus, 1853 February 10.
Box 1 Folder 13
Unnamed play, Arch St. Theatre and The Alarming Sacrifice by the "Chinese Troupe", Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 February 11.
Box 1 Folder 14
Lady of Lyons and Douglas, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 February 17-18.
Box 1 Folder 15
Unnamed play, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 February 23.
Box 1 Folder 16
Macbeth, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 February 26.
Box 1 Folder 17
The School of Reform, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 1.
Box 1 Folder 18
The Iron Chests and The Mysterious Family, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 3.
Box 1 Folder 19
The Heir at Law, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 8.
Box 1 Folder 20
Gossamer, [The New Fortman],and The Spectre Bridegroom,  Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 10.
Box 1 Folder 21
Henry IV, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 11.
Box 1 Folder 22
The Willow Copse and a poem by Meredith entitled "Miss Gougenheim", Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 12.
Box 1 Folder 23
"The Star Company", As You Like It, Arch St. Theatre, 1853 March 15.
Box 1 Folder 24
Evadne, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 17.
Box 1 Folder 25
Love's Sacrifice, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 18.
Box 1 Folder 26
[Fazio], Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 19.
Box 1 Folder 27
Love, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 21.
Box 1 Folder 28
Ingomar, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 22.
Box 1 Folder 29
Ion, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 23.
Box 1 Folder 30
Unnamed play, and poem by Meredith entitled "Couldock and Logan", Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 24.
Box 1 Folder 31
Regarding Miss Eliza Logan et al., 1853 March 25.
Box 1 Folder 32
Richard III, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 26.
Box 1 Folder 33
A New Mythological Mixture and All that Glitters is not Gold, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 28.
Box 1 Folder 34
Macbeth, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 29.
Box 1 Folder 35
Unnamed play and The Wandering Minstrel, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 March 31.
Box 1 Folder 36
The Merchant of Venice and Roller, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 April 6.
Box 1 Folder 37
Unnamed play, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 April 9.
Box 1 Folder 38
Together with the Wonderful Dogs!, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 April 13.
Box 1 Folder 39
Ingomar and Washington, the Hero of Valley Forge, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 4.
Box 1 Folder 40
Rule a Wife and Have a Wife, Arch St. Theatre, 1853 May 5.
Box 1 Folder 41
Harvest and Box and Cox, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 6.
Box 1 Folder 42
The Betrothal, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 7.
Box 1 Folder 43
The Hunchback, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 9.
Box 1 Folder 44
Love, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 10.
Box 1 Folder 45
Evadne and The [illegible] Dog, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 11.
Box 1 Folder 46
The Lady of Lyons, Ingomar, and Madelaine, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 14.
Box 1 Folder 47
The Love Chase, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 18.
Box 1 Folder 48
The Popular American Comedian, W. Charles Burke, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1854 February 6.
Box 1 Folder 49
Romeo and Juliet, The Lady of Lyons, Ingomar, Ion, and Armand, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1854 March 13-18.
Box 1 Folder 50
The Hunchback and The Jacobite, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 August 25.
Box 1 Folder 51
The fate of a Coquette, The Wife, and The Gamester, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1854 April 8.
Box 1 Folder 52
Unnamed play(s), Chestnut St. Theatre, 1854 April 10.
Box 1 Folder 53
Unnamed dance(s), [Mazulm], and[The Farce of Waggles], Chestnut St. Theatre, 1854 April 12.
Box 1 Folder 54
The [Poor] Gentlemen, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 May 2.
Box 1 Folder 55
The Duke's Wager, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 20.
Box 1 Folder 56
Lady [illegible], Chestnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 21.
Box 1 Folder 57
Mr. Riching's Complimentary and Farewell Benefit, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 May 25.
Box 1 Folder 58
Comedy of John Bull, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 May 26.
Box 1 Folder 59
Othello and A New Way to Pay Old Debts, Walnut St. Theatre, 1853 June 2.
Box 1 Folder 60
"W. Brougham's New Comedy", Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 June 26.
Box 1 Folder 61
The Love-Chase and The Married Rake, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 August 28.
Box 1 Folder 62
Who's Your Friend?, unnamed song, Delicate Ground, and Lover by Proxy, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 August 29.
Box 1 Folder 63
As You Like It, unnamed dance, and Grandfather Whitehead, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 August 30.
Box 1 Folder 64
The Clandestine Marriage and Ganem ("The Fairy Extravaganza", Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 August 31.
Box 1 Folder 65
London Assurance and Ganem, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 September 1-2.
Box 1 Folder 66
Letter to the editor of the Evening Register, published 1854 September 4, 1854 September 3.
Box 1 Folder 67
Othello, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 September 4-5.
Box 1 Folder 68
Bertram, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 September 5.
Box 1 Folder 69
[The Wife], Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 September 6.
Box 1 Folder 70
Unnamed play, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 September 9.
Box 1 Folder 71
St. Marc or A Soldier of Fortune, Othello, Hamlet, The Wife, Black-Eyed Susan, and Brutus, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 September 26-1854 October 7.
Box 1 Folder 72
Damon and Pythias, Pizzaro, Richelieu Hamlet, Macbeth "with alterations", and Richard III, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 October 929.
Box 1 Folder 73
Othello, Aylmere ("Conrad's play of Jack Cade, King Lear, and The Gladiator, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 October 16-26.
Box 1 Folder 74
Jane Shore, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1854 October 18.
Box 1 Folder 75
The Comedy of Errors and Serious Family, Arch St. Theatre, 1854 November 13.
Box 1 Folder 76
The Provoked Husband, Arch St. Theatre, 1854 November 15.
Box 1 Folder 77
The Beggar's Opera, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 November 18-19.
Box 1 Folder 78
Margery, Apollo in New York, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 December 5-6.
Box 1 Folder 79
The Hunchback, Walnut St. Theatre, 1854 December 25.
Box 1 Folder 80
I Puritani, Lucrezia Borgia, Walnut St. Theatre, 1855 January 1-7.
Box 2 Folder 1
Fazio and Jane Shore, City Museum, 1855 January 18-24.
Box 2 Folder 2
The Hunchback andThe Rough Diamond, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1855 January 20.
Box 2 Folder 3
Midsummer Night's Dream, Walnut St. Theatre, 1855 January 13 - 1855 February 12.
Box 2 Folder 4
Hamlet and King Lear, Chestnut St. Theatre, 1855 February 12-15.
Box 2 Folder 5
List of productions taking place between 1855 February 17 and 1855 February 20, Chestnut St. Theatre, fragmentary, [1855 February 16].
Box 2 Folder 6
The Castle Spectre, Arch St. Theatre, 1855 February 26.
Box 2 Folder 7
The Hunchback and several plays that Meredith did not attend, Walnut St. Theatre, includes list of productions from 1855 February 19-1855 March 23, 1855 March 21.
Box 2 Folder 8
The Stranger, Walnut St. Theatre, 1855 May 10.
Box 2 Folder 9
A Serious Family, Walnut St. Theatre, 1855 November 7.
Box 2 Folder 11
Othello, Walnut St. Theatre, 1855 December 10.
Box 2 Folder 12
Richard III, Arch St. Theatre, 1855 December 18.
Box 2 Folder 13
Shandy Maguire, City Museum, 1855 December 31.
Box 2 Folder 14
Richard III, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 March 14.
Box 2 Folder 15
Barber of Seville, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 March 8.
Box 2 Folder 16
Mr. Collins, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 May 24.
Box 2 Folder 17
Two unnamed plays, National Theatre, 1856 May 15.
Box 2 Folder 18
Romeo and Juliet, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 May 26.
Box 2 Folder 19
Entertainment (possibly a variety show), Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 July 29.
Box 2 Folder 20
The Man of the World, Arch St. Theatre, 1856 August 21.
Box 2 Folder 21
The Rivals, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 September 1.
Box 2 Folder 22
The Stranger, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 September 27.
Box 2 Folder 23
King Lear and Going to the Races, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 October 1-2.
Box 2 Folder 24
King John and Deliberate Ground, Arch St. Theatre, 1856 October 20.
Box 2 Folder 25
Much Ado About Nothing and Heaven for God, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 October 21.
Box 2 Folder 26
King John and Sweethearts and Wives, Arch St. Theatre, 1856 November 7.
Box 2 Folder 27
Damon and Pythias and The Wonder, Arch St. Theatre, 1856 November 18.
Box 2 Folder 28
Lurline, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 November 20.
Box 2 Folder 29
The Jealous Wife and The French Spy, Arch St. Theatre, 1856 November 22.
Box 2 Folder 30
Self, Arch St. Theatre, 1856 November 28.
Box 2 Folder 31
Revels, John Dobbs, and Double-Bedded Room, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 December 1-3.
Box 2 Folder 32
Revels and [M. Blondin's] Benefit, Walnut St. Theatre, 1856 December 12-15.
Box 2 Folder 33
Know Your Own Mind and Shocking Events, Arch St. Theatre, 1856 December 17.
Box 2 Folder 34
Revels, Walnut St. Theatre; includes note re: death of his uncle J. D. Meredith, buried 1856 December 31, 1856 December 20-27.
Box 2 Folder 35
Hamlet and Box and Cox, Walnut St. theatre, 1857 January 5.
Box 2 Folder 36
Young New York, Arch St. theatre, 1857 January 15.
Box 2 Folder 37
The Hunchback and All that Glitters is not Gold, Arch St. theatre, 1857 January 16.
Box 2 Folder 38
School for Scandal and The Irish Lion, Walnut St. Theatre, 1857 January 21.
Box 2 Folder 39
Love and Loyalty and The Two Queens, Arch St. Theatre, 1857 January 22.
Box 2 Folder 40
Belphegor the Mountebank, Walnut St. Theatre, 1857 January 23.
Box 2 Folder 41
John Bull and Miseries of Human Life, Walnut St. Theatre, 1857 January 26.
Box 2 Folder 42

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