author
Lester Wallack
1820–1888
A major figure in 19th-century American theater, he built Wallack's into one of New York's most admired stage companies. Actor, manager, and occasional playwright, he was especially known for polished comic and romantic roles.
1 Audiobook
The Romance of a Poor Young Man A Drama Adapted from the French of Octave Feuillet
by Pierrepont Edwards, Octave Feuillet, Lester Wallack
About the author
Born John Johnstone Wallack in New York City on January 1, 1820, he came from a theatrical family: his father was actor-manager James William Wallack. He worked on stage in Dublin and London before making his New York debut, and later adopted the professional name Lester Wallack.
Wallack became one of the best-known actor-managers of his time. He led Wallack's Theatre in New York and helped make it a leading home for "legitimate" drama, with a company that trained and showcased many important performers of the 19th century. As an actor, he was especially praised in refined comedy and romantic parts.
He also wrote for the stage and left behind a memoir, Memories of Fifty Years. He died on September 6, 1888, in Stamford, Connecticut, but his name remains closely tied to the growth of American theater in New York.