Cut signature of E.S. (Edward Smith) Willard by WILLARD, E. S. (Edward Smith) [1853-1915] - 1897

NP: Edward Smith Willard, 1897. No binding. Cut signature of Edward Smith Willard dated April [18]97 on a 4-1/2 x 2-1/2 inch piece of paper.

Edward Smith Willard was an English actor. He was born at Brighton and made his debut upon the stage at Weymouth in The Lady of Lyons in 1869. He then toured with E. A. Sothern and later joined various stock companies. Coming to London in 1875, he played Antonio in The Merchant of Venice with Charles Rice in 1876. After a varied experience in Shakespearean and other plays, in 1881 he was engaged by Wilson Barrett at the Princess Theatre, where he played in The Lights of London, The Silver King, and other well-known pieces. In 1886, he made a hit as Jim the Penman at the Haymarket. One of his greatest successes was his production of The Middleman by Henry Arthur Jones, at the Shaftesbury in 1889, he himself creating the part of Cyrus Blenkarn and in 1890 made his mark in America.