A'Becket family diaries and prompt books, 1840-1890.

Links

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• View PDF finding aid (43.54 KB)

Creator

A'Becket family.

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division

Extent

• 1.5 lin. ft., (5 boxes).

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.

Scope/Contents Note

The A'Becket Family Diaries and Prompt Books include handwritten memoirs and daily notations regarding the lifeand career of Thomas A'Becket, Sr. from 1844 to 1890. The diaries show the extent of A'Becket's theatrical activities. The diaries of his son, Thomas A'Becket, Jr. are primarily music related. These diaries span the years1862 to 1880. The scripts and prompt books are sometimes annotated and sometimes unmarked and belonged to Thomas A'Becket, Sr. They span his career and some give information on the theater and year of the production. The collection appears to be a useful research source for detailing the life of a stock actor, writer and musician of the 19th century. A'Becket includes information on hiswork schedule and his travel schedule in the circuit theaters. Information as well, regarding his family, friends and acquaintances can be found in the diaries.

Biographical/Historical Notes

Thomas A'Becket, Sr. was an actor, musician and writer in the Philadelphia theater from 1840-1889. He acted for both the Arch Street Theatre Company and the Walnut StreetTheatre Company, however the greatest portion of his career was spent at the Walnut Street Theatre. He acted there 1841-1842; 1845-1847; 1849-1855. After this time heseemed to join the travelling theater circuits, taking acting jobs in Chicago, St. Louis and other Midwestern cities. A'Becket was known as a major player in the Walnut Street Theatre and played many roles, among them Polonius in HAMLET. A'Becket was born on March 17, 1808 and died in Philadelphia on January 6, 1890.

Thomas A'Becket, Jr. was a musician who worked in the Philadelphia area performing in concert ensembles. He also gave music lessons on a daily basis. He was born June 19, 1843, the oldest child of Thomas A'Becket, Sr.

Controlled Access Terms

• Becket, Thomas à, 1808-1890.
• Becket, Thomas à, 1843-1918.
• Walnut Street Theatre (Philadelphia, Pa.)
• Theater -- United States -- 19th century.
• Diaries.
• Actors.

Additional Creator Names

• Becket, Thomas à, 1843-1918.
• Becket, Thomas à, 1808-1890.
• O'Keeffe, John, 1747-1833. Agreeable surprise. 1785.
• Brown, John, 1715-1766. Barbarossa. 1809.
• Cowley, Mrs. (Hannah), 1743-1809. Belle's stratagem. 1810.
• Colman, George, 1762-1836. Blue devils. 1811.
• Cowley, Mrs. (Hannah), 1743-1809. Bold stroke for a husband. 1831.
• Almar, George. Cedar chest. 1800.
• Almar, George. Clerk of Clerkenwell. 1800.
• Buckstone, John Baldwin, 1802-1879. Damon and Pythias. 1800.
• Beazley, Samuel, 1786-1851. Fire and water. 1821.
• Penley, S. (Samson). Sleeping draught. 1818.
• Allingham, John Till, fl. 1799-1810. Fortune's frolic. 1824.
• Macfarren, George, 1788-1843. Guy Faux. 1800.
• Tobin, John, 1770-1804. Honey moon. 1800.
• Cooper, Frederick Fox, 1806-1879. Ion. 1800.
• Buckstone, John Baldwin, 1802-1879. Irish lion. 1800.
• Colman, George, 1762-1836. Iron chest. 1800.
• Beazley, Samuel, 1786-1851. Jealous on all sides. 1800.
• Oulton, Walley Chamberlain, 1770?-1820? My landlady's gown. 1817.
• Boucicault, Dion, 1820-1890. London assurances. 1842.
• Colman, George, 1762-1836. Love laughs at locksmiths. 1800.
• Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton, Baron, 1803-1873. Money. 1800.
• Cobb, James, 1756-1818. Paul and Virginia. 1800.
• Almar, George. Pedlar's acre. 1800.
• Buckstone, John Baldwin, 1802-1879. Popping the question. 1800.
• Colman, George, 1762-1836. Poor gentleman. 1800.
• Colman, George, 1762-1836. Review. 1817.
• Barnett, C. Z. (Charles Zachary). Rise of the Rothschildes. 1800.
• Cobb, James, 1756-1818. Siege of Belgrade. 1823.
• Kotzebue, August von, 1761-1819. Menschenhass und Reue. English. 1800.
• Allingham, John Till, fl. 1799-1810. Weathercock. 1826.
• Buckstone, John Baldwin, 1802-1879. Uncle John. 1800.
• Cumberland, Richard, 1732-1811. Wheel of fortune. 1800.
• Colman, George, 1762-1836. X.Y.Z. 1828.
• Stranger.