Elizabeth Crocker Bowers
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Crocker Bowers (March 12, 1830 — November 6, 1895) was an American
actress, born in Stamford
, Connecticut
.
clergyman.
, New York
.
On March 4, 1847, she married David P. Bowers, an actor on the same stage, with whom she went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
.
A week later she appeared as Donna Victoria in A Bold Stroke for a Husband at the Walnut Street Theatre
in Philadelphia. Afterward she became very popular at the Arch Street Theatre, also in Philadelphia, and remained there until her husband's death in 1857.
In December 1857, after a period of retirement from the stage, she leased the Walnut Street Theatre and retained its management until 1859. She then leased the Philadelphia Academy of Music for a short dramatic season.
Soon after this she married Dr. Brown of Baltimore
, Maryland
, who died in 1867.
In September 1861, she went to London
, United Kingdom
, and made a great success as Julia in The Hunchback at the Sadler's Wells Theatre
. She soon became a favorite with the English, and played as Geraldine D'Arcy in Woman (play) at the Lyceum Theatre in London.
Returning to New York City in 1863, she played for a time at the Winter Garden
(now demolished). Among her favorite roles were Juliet
, Lady Macbeth
, Marie Antoinette
, and Lady Audley.
After the death of Dr. Brown in 1867, she married J. C. McCollom, with whom she repeated many of her popular roles.
Her subsequent retirement at Philadelphia was interrupted by a return to the stage in October 1886 for several years. She organized a new dramatic company, and visited the principal cities of the U.S., playing many of her old and favorite characters. Under A. M. Palmer's
management she appeared in Lady Windermere's Fan
(1893), and later she was a supporting actress for Rose Coghlan
and Olga Nethersole
.
, was also an actress.
Bowers died in Philadelphia where she made her home.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, born in Stamford
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
.
Early life
She was the daughter of an EpiscopalEpiscopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
clergyman.
Career and marriages
When sixteen years old, she appeared in the character of Amanthis at the Park Theatre in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
On March 4, 1847, she married David P. Bowers, an actor on the same stage, with whom she went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
A week later she appeared as Donna Victoria in A Bold Stroke for a Husband at the Walnut Street Theatre
Walnut Street Theatre
The Walnut Street Theatre , located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 825 Walnut Street, is the oldest continuously operating theatre in the English-speaking world and the oldest in the United States...
in Philadelphia. Afterward she became very popular at the Arch Street Theatre, also in Philadelphia, and remained there until her husband's death in 1857.
In December 1857, after a period of retirement from the stage, she leased the Walnut Street Theatre and retained its management until 1859. She then leased the Philadelphia Academy of Music for a short dramatic season.
Soon after this she married Dr. Brown of Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, who died in 1867.
In September 1861, she went to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and made a great success as Julia in The Hunchback at the Sadler's Wells Theatre
Sadler's Wells Theatre
Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive...
. She soon became a favorite with the English, and played as Geraldine D'Arcy in Woman (play) at the Lyceum Theatre in London.
Returning to New York City in 1863, she played for a time at the Winter Garden
Winter Garden
Winter Garden may refer to:* A winter garden, winter-hardy plants grown for winter interest and decoration, or to be harvested for food between winter and early spring.-Places:* Winter Garden, California, former community in Kern County...
(now demolished). Among her favorite roles were Juliet
Juliet Capulet
Juliet is one of the title characters in William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet, the other being Romeo. She is the daughter of old Capulet, head of the house of Capulet. The story has a long history that precedes Shakespeare himself....
, Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth may refer to:*Lady Macbeth, from William Shakespeare's play Macbeth**Queen Gruoch of Scotland, the real-life Queen on whom Shakespeare based the character...
, Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette ; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was an Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of France and of Navarre. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I....
, and Lady Audley.
After the death of Dr. Brown in 1867, she married J. C. McCollom, with whom she repeated many of her popular roles.
Her subsequent retirement at Philadelphia was interrupted by a return to the stage in October 1886 for several years. She organized a new dramatic company, and visited the principal cities of the U.S., playing many of her old and favorite characters. Under A. M. Palmer's
Albert Marshman Palmer
Albert Marshman Palmer was an American theatrical manager, born at North Stonington, Connecticut.He graduated from the law school of the University of New York in 1860, served as librarian at the Mercantile Library, New York, in 1869-72, and then for ten years managed the Union Square Theatre...
management she appeared in Lady Windermere's Fan
Lady Windermere's Fan
Lady Windermere's Fan, A Play About a Good Woman is a four act comedy by Oscar Wilde, first produced 22 February 1892 at the St James's Theatre in London. The play was first published in 1893...
(1893), and later she was a supporting actress for Rose Coghlan
Rose Coghlan
Rose Coghlan , English actress was the sister of Charles Francis Coghlan.She went to America in 1871 as part of Lydia Thompson's troupe touring the U.S.. She made her Broadway debut in 1872 in a musical. Coghlan was again in England from 1873 to 1877, playing with Barry Sullivan, and then returned...
and Olga Nethersole
Olga Nethersole
Olga Isabella Nethersole, CBE, RRC was an English actress, theatre producer, and wartime nurse/health educator.-Biography:...
.
Personal life
Her sister, Sarah Crocker ConwaySarah Crocker Conway
Sarah Crocker Conway was an actress. She was a sister of Elizabeth Crocker Bowers, also an actress. She made her début in Baltimore, Maryland in 1849, playing Parthenia and other leading parts. In May 1852, she married the actor Frederick B. Conway, and the two thenceforward acted together...
, was also an actress.
Bowers died in Philadelphia where she made her home.