Louis James

Background

James was born on October 3, 1842, in Tremont, Illinois, the son of Benjamin F. and Almira H. James.

Career

James made his début in a minor character at Macaulay's Theatre, Louisville, Kentucky, in January 1864. Through the influence of Lawrence Barrett, with whom he later acted, he was enabled to join the stock company at the Arch Street Theatre in Philadelphia, then under the management of Mrs. John Drew, and during his apprentice days he fortunately had the benefit of her practical advice and instruction. Among the characters James acted during this engagement of six years were George D'Alroy in Caste, Joseph Surface in The School for Scandal, and Edgar in The Bride of Lammermoor. A service of four years followed with Augustin Daly at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York; his first part there, which he acted on the opening night of Daly's season, September 5, 1871, was Captain Lynde in Divorce. Thereafter James was seen in many varied characters in a wide range of light comedies. He was an excellent representative of Manly in The Provoked Husband, Henri Delille in Article 47, Doricourt in The Belle's Stratagem, Mr. Page in Merry Wives of Windsor, Tom Coke in Old Heads and Young Hearts, Joseph Surface, and of other parts in Daly's extended repertory of classic and modern plays. At the new Fifth Avenue Theatre in Twenty-eighth Street, which Daly opened after the destruction of the other house by fire, James increased his popularity and enlarged his style by playing, among other characters, such varied parts as Longaville in Love's Labour's Lost, Bill Sikes in Oliver Twist, Ludington Whist in Saratoga, Yorick in Yorick's Love, Young Marlow in She Stoops to Conquer, and Bassanio to the Shylock of Edward L. Davenport and the Portia of Carlotta Leclercq. It seems to be the universal testimony of playgoers of that day that he was an actor of unquestioned natural ability and eclectic style, and it is said by observers who followed his acting carefully through many years that his best work during his long life on the stage was accomplished under the Daly management. Misceilaneous engagements followed his departure from Augustin Daly's company after the close of the season of 1874-1875, his tours taking him to farseparated parts of the country, from Boston to Chicago and thence to San Francisco. Proof of his repute and skill is shown by the fact that James was entrusted with the task of supporting Edwin Booth as Othello to that actor's Iago, and in playing Macbeth to Mary Anderson's Lady Macbeth. For five years, beginning in the autumn of 1880, he was Lawrence Barrett's leading man in such plays as Francesca da Rimini, The King's Pleasure, and The Blot in the 'Scutcheon. During several seasons in the late eighties he starred in association with Marie Wainwright in a repertory of Shakespeare's and other plays. Following an engagement with Joseph Jefferson, James began in 1892 a series of starring tours by himself and in association at various times with Frederick Warde, Charles B. Hanford, Mlle. Rhea, and Kathryn Kidder, that continued until his death, which came suddenly of heart trouble at Helena, Montana, when he was preparing to go on as Cardinal Wolsey in Shakespeare's King Henry VIII. James died on March 5, 1910.

Achievements

• James is best remembered for his theatrical roles.

Connections

James's first wife, Lillian Scanlan, whom he married in 1871, died in 1876. He later married Marie Wainwright, from whom he was divorced, and his third wife, Aphie Hendricks of Philadelphia, to whom he was married December 24, 1892, survived him. He had one daughter, Millie James, who became an actress.

Father:

Benjamin F. James

Mother:

Almira H. James

Spouse:

Marie Wainwright

Spouse:

Aphie Hendricks

Spouse:

Lillian Scanlan

Daughter:

Millie James