(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
A memoir of the professional life of Thomas Abthorpe Cooper
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
Some account of the Ireland family: originally of Long Island, N. Y., 1664-1880
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
Ireland Joseph Norton was an American historian of the New York stage, he wrote primarily about the dramatic world of his day.
Background
Joseph was born on April 24, 1817 in New York City, New York, United States, the son of Joseph and Sophia (Jones) Ireland. His family had been substantial merchants for many generations, "a race, " he said, "distinguished - with rare exceptions - for sterling integrity, easy good nature . .. and an unambitious contentment with a medium rank in life".
John Ireland, grandfather of the stage historian, was a merchant of Huntington, and an ardent British sympathizer; during the British army's occupancy of Long Island he served as assistant commissary. Joseph Ireland, father of Joseph Norton, moved into the city of New York, and established, at 82 Dey St. , the prosperous business which his sons inherited.
Education
After an education of only an elementary character, Joseph Norton Ireland succeeded his father.
Career
At first his collection of documents was a hobby; its development into a book Ireland explains in the preface to his Records of the New York Stage: "The collecting of theatrical memoranda has been an amusement of the author since early childhood, . .. it has been his daily habit to record the dramatic events of the metropolis. Possessing a large amount of material, . .. in 1853, he wrote and contributed to the Evening Mirror several theatrical sketches over the signature 'H. N. D. ' " These proved so useful to others that he finally was persuaded to attempt an entire book.
The result was his Records of the New York Stage, from 1750 to 1860 (2 vols. , 1866 - 67). No one except the pioneer William Dunlap had previously attempted to chronicle any extensive portion of American theatrical history. It identified the author with the dramatic world of his day. He wrote also two biographies of actors, marked, in spite of his heavy style, by industry and sympathy: Mrs. Duff (1882), the first full-length account of that remarkable woman; and A Memoir of the Professional Life of Thomas Abthorpe Cooper (Publications of the Dunlap Society, 1888). The Charlotte Cushman of Lawrence Barrett (Publications of the Dunlap Society, 1889) bears on the title page the sub-title, "With an appendix containing a letter from Joseph N. Ireland. " This letter gives a record of all the parts played by Charlotte Cushman. In 1880 he published Some Account of the Ireland Family, Originally of Long Island, New York, 1644-1880.
After a few years spent in retirement he died in his eighty-second year at Bridgeport, where he was buried.
Achievements
Joseph Norton Ireland was an influencial historian, the author of the well-known work Records of the New York Stage, where he attempted to chronicle any extensive portion of American theatrical history. For almost forty years his work was the only reliable book in its field, is still regarded as accurate.
(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
Membership
Ireland became an honorary member of The Players and of the Dunlap Society.
Personality
Joseph Norton had the grace of friendliness, and ample leisure and means, all of which contributed to his friendships among the theatrical people whose reminiscences and records he accumulated. Although he had few graces as a writer, he had those qualities of honesty and industry so requisite to his task.
Interests
His love of the theatre caused him to make frequent and extended visits to New York.
Connections
Ireland was married, June 10, 1845, to Mary Amelia, daughter of Walter and Mary (Van Nostrand) Titus, and adopted daughter of John S. and Amelia (Titus) Avery. In 1857, he moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he maintained his residence during the remainder of his life.
