author
Charlotte Oelschlager
1898–1984
Best known on the ice long before she appeared on the page, this German-born skater turned her expertise into a lively early guide to figure skating. Her surviving book captures the energy of the New York Hippodrome era and the practical side of learning the sport.
1 Audiobook
Hippodrome Skating Book Practical Illustrated Lessons in the Art of Figure Skating
by Charlotte Oelschlager
About the author
Born in Berlin in 1898, she was a professional skater who performed under the single name "Charlotte" and later also used the name Charlotte Hayward. She built her reputation in the world of exhibition skating, including work at the New York Hippodrome, where she was promoted as a major star of ice performance.
She is remembered in print for Hippodrome Skating Book (1916), an illustrated instructional guide that shares techniques, figures, pair skating, and exhibition advice for learners. The book reflects her practical, performance-based approach: it was written by someone who knew skating as both an art and a spectacle.
She died in 1984. Although her bibliography appears to be small, her name has lasted through this distinctive book and her place in early 20th-century skating culture.