James Edward Murdoch
Encyclopedia
James Edward Murdoch was an American
actor and elocutionist.
He was born in Philadelphia, the eldest of four sons of Thomas and Elizabeth Murdoch. James apprenticed under his father in the business of bookbinding. He served as a volunteer fireman with the Vigilant Company. In 1829, he made his first dramatic appearance as Frederick in Kotzebue's play Lover's Vows. He had his first lead role in 1830 with the traveling company of Vincent DeCamp. The following year, he married Eliza Middlecott. In 1832, while suffering from indigestion, he accidentally ingested a preparation of arsenic. A doctor was called in and saved his life, but thereafter he would suffer health problems and fatigue.
During the succeeding years he took various roles on the stage. His career prospects began to take a turn for the better in 1845 when he played the role of Hamlet at
Park Theater, New York. For years afterward, he was considered the best performer of Hamlet on the American stage. For the next fifteen years he played a variety of roles and became a leading light on the American stage. He published a work titled, Orthophony; or the Cultivation of the Voice, in Elocution in 1847. In 1853, he appeared in California as an early acting pioneer for that region. A visit to England in 1856 led to a series of stage engagements. During the American Civil War
, he entertained troops and performed benefits for the wounded.
During the last two years of his life he suffered from various ailments and was cared for by his two daughters, Fanny and Ida.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor and elocutionist.
He was born in Philadelphia, the eldest of four sons of Thomas and Elizabeth Murdoch. James apprenticed under his father in the business of bookbinding. He served as a volunteer fireman with the Vigilant Company. In 1829, he made his first dramatic appearance as Frederick in Kotzebue's play Lover's Vows. He had his first lead role in 1830 with the traveling company of Vincent DeCamp. The following year, he married Eliza Middlecott. In 1832, while suffering from indigestion, he accidentally ingested a preparation of arsenic. A doctor was called in and saved his life, but thereafter he would suffer health problems and fatigue.
During the succeeding years he took various roles on the stage. His career prospects began to take a turn for the better in 1845 when he played the role of Hamlet at
Park Theater, New York. For years afterward, he was considered the best performer of Hamlet on the American stage. For the next fifteen years he played a variety of roles and became a leading light on the American stage. He published a work titled, Orthophony; or the Cultivation of the Voice, in Elocution in 1847. In 1853, he appeared in California as an early acting pioneer for that region. A visit to England in 1856 led to a series of stage engagements. During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, he entertained troops and performed benefits for the wounded.
During the last two years of his life he suffered from various ailments and was cared for by his two daughters, Fanny and Ida.