Charles Turner Dazey

Born in Lima, Illinois, in 1855, Charles Turner Dazey studied in Kentucky and graduated from Harvard in 1881. At Harvard he edited The Harvard Advocate and was chosen as poet of his class, and some of his early poems appeared in The Century Magazine. Even as a student, he was already writing for the stage: his comedietta Rustication was produced at the Boston Museum while he was still in college.

Dazey went on to build a successful career as a playwright, writing works for well-known performers and companies of his day. His biggest success was In Old Kentucky, a play that remained in continuous American production for more than 26 years. He also wrote the libretto for War-Time Wedding and later created Broadway works including The War of Wealth, a melodrama inspired by the Panic of 1893.

Later in life, he also wrote for film, contributing to projects connected with stars such as Douglas Fairbanks, Mrs. Vernon Castle, and Gloria Swanson. He was a member of New York's Lambs Club, married the actress Lucy Harding, and died in Quincy, Illinois, in 1938.