Victor Mapes

Born in New York City on March 10, 1870, Victor Mapes belonged to an old New York family and studied at Columbia University, where he graduated in 1891. Early in his career he worked in journalism before becoming known in the theater.

Mapes built a varied career as an American playwright, stage manager, and director. He was associated with Broadway productions and also wrote fiction; one confirmed title is Partners Three (1909). That mix of stage and page makes him a good example of the versatile literary figures who moved easily across different kinds of storytelling in his era.

He died on September 27, 1943, in Cannes, France. Although he is remembered chiefly for his theatrical work, his writing also connects him to the world of early modern popular fiction and drama.