author
William L. (William Linn) Keese
1835–1904
A New York–born writer and journalist, he is best remembered for lively literary and theatrical portraits, including books on John Keese and actor-manager William E. Burton. His work ranged from biography and criticism to verse, giving a vivid glimpse of nineteenth-century American literary and stage life.
1 Audiobook
William E. Burton: Actor, Author, and Manager A Sketch of his Career with Recollections of his Performances
by William L. (William Linn) Keese
About the author
William Linn Keese was born in New York City on February 25, 1835. Sources identify him as an American journalist and author, and his published work shows a strong interest in literary and theatrical figures from the nineteenth century.
Among his best-known books are John Keese, Wit and Littérateur (1883), a memoir of his father, William E. Burton: Actor, Author, and Manager (1885), and A Group of Comedians (1901). He also published poetry, including The Siamese Twins, and Other Poems (1902), and contributed work to Harper’s Magazine.
Keese’s writing suggests a fondness for character, performance, and the personalities behind books and the stage. He died in 1904, leaving behind a small but varied body of work that still appeals to readers interested in literary history and old New York culture.