Matilda Heron
Encyclopedia
Matilda Agnes Heron was a popular mid-19th century actress in the United States
, best known for her role in the play "Camille
."
Born in Ireland
in 1830, Heron emigrated to the United States in 1842, and lived in Philadelphia. Starting in 1851 she began appearing professionally in plays. In 1853 she traveled to California
and gained popularity. In 1854, she was married to lawyer Henry Herbert Byrne in San Francisco, but the union lasted but a few months.
While in Paris
in 1855, Heron saw the popular play La Dame aux camélias (The Lady of the Camellias
), and decided to present her own version, in English, in America. The resulting "Camille", for which she is best known, had its New York debut in January 1857 at Wallack's Theatre. Edward Askew Sothern
played the role of the lover. Of her role in Camille, prominent theater critic William Winter
later wrote: "Other parts she acted; that one she lived." She was known for her emotional style of acting.
In 1857, Heron wed composer Robert Stoepel
(they separated in 1869). During the 1861-1862 season Heron wrote "The Belle of the Season" and starred in it at the Winter Garden. In 1863, she gave birth to a daughter, Helen Wallace Stoepel, better known as Bijou Heron
, who became an actress herself. By the late 1860s, and as her health began to wane, Matilda Heron receded from the spotlight and taught acting. A big benefit show was done to raise funds for her in January 1872, which included Edwin Booth
, Jules Levy
, John Brougham
, and Laura Keene
.
She died in New York City on March 7, 1877. Her reported last words were "Tilly never did harm to anyone - poor Tilly is so happy."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, best known for her role in the play "Camille
The Lady of the Camellias
The Lady of the Camellias is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils, first published in 1848, and subsequently adapted for the stage. The Lady of the Camellias premiered at the Théâtre du Vaudeville in Paris, France on February 2, 1852. The play was an instant success, and Giuseppe Verdi immediately set...
."
Born in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1830, Heron emigrated to the United States in 1842, and lived in Philadelphia. Starting in 1851 she began appearing professionally in plays. In 1853 she traveled to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and gained popularity. In 1854, she was married to lawyer Henry Herbert Byrne in San Francisco, but the union lasted but a few months.
While in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1855, Heron saw the popular play La Dame aux camélias (The Lady of the Camellias
The Lady of the Camellias
The Lady of the Camellias is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils, first published in 1848, and subsequently adapted for the stage. The Lady of the Camellias premiered at the Théâtre du Vaudeville in Paris, France on February 2, 1852. The play was an instant success, and Giuseppe Verdi immediately set...
), and decided to present her own version, in English, in America. The resulting "Camille", for which she is best known, had its New York debut in January 1857 at Wallack's Theatre. Edward Askew Sothern
Edward Askew Sothern
Edward Askew Sothern was an English actor known for his comic roles in Britain and America, particularly Lord Dundreary in Our American Cousin.- Early years :...
played the role of the lover. Of her role in Camille, prominent theater critic William Winter
William Winter (author)
William Winter was an American dramatic critic and author.-Biography:Born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Winter graduated from Harvard Law School in 1857...
later wrote: "Other parts she acted; that one she lived." She was known for her emotional style of acting.
In 1857, Heron wed composer Robert Stoepel
Robert Stoepel
Robert Auguste Stoepel was a German-born American composer and conductor.- Biography :He was born Auguste Stoepel in Berlin, 1821. Because his father had a reputation as a court musician, he adopted his forename...
(they separated in 1869). During the 1861-1862 season Heron wrote "The Belle of the Season" and starred in it at the Winter Garden. In 1863, she gave birth to a daughter, Helen Wallace Stoepel, better known as Bijou Heron
Bijou Heron
Bijou Heron was an American stage actress.Born Helen Wallace Stoepel in New York City, New York, the daughter of composer Robert Stoepel and tragedienne Matilda Heron, she was a child actress in the theatre...
, who became an actress herself. By the late 1860s, and as her health began to wane, Matilda Heron receded from the spotlight and taught acting. A big benefit show was done to raise funds for her in January 1872, which included Edwin Booth
Edwin Booth
Edwin Thomas Booth was a famous 19th century American actor who toured throughout America and the major capitals of Europe, performing Shakespearean plays. In 1869 he founded Booth's Theatre in New York, a spectacular theatre that was quite modern for its time...
, Jules Levy
Jules Levy
Jules Levy was a cornetist, teacher, and composer.Born in London, England, he reportedly began his study of the cornet with only its mouthpiece; his family could not afford the instrument itself. After immigrating to the United States, he began a significant musical career as a cornet soloist and...
, John Brougham
John Brougham
John Brougham was an Irish-American actor and dramatist.-Biography:He was born at Dublin. His father was an amateur painter, and died young. His mother was the daughter of a Huguenot, whom political adversity had forced into exile. John was the eldest of three children...
, and Laura Keene
Laura Keene
Laura Keene was a British-born American stage actress and manager. In her twenty-year career, she became known as the first powerful female manager in New York.-Early life:...
.
She died in New York City on March 7, 1877. Her reported last words were "Tilly never did harm to anyone - poor Tilly is so happy."