William Theodore Peters
Encyclopedia
William Theodore Peters was an American poet and actor. Associated with 1890s decadence
, he was a friend of Ernest Dowson
, who dedicated a poem to him, "To William Theodore Peters on His Renaissance Cloak". In October 1892, he commissioned Dowson to write the play that would ultimately become the Pierrot of the Minute, for him to act in. Peters also authored an epilogue to the play, spoken by the character of Pierrot. This was included in Peters' book of verse, Posies Out of Rings and Other Conceits, a "quaint little salmon pink volume", which was published by John Lane
and the Bodley Head
in 1896.. Peters also wrote a childrens book, 'The Children of the Week', illustrated by Clinton Peters, published in 1886 by Dodd, Mead, & Co. Peters' only other book was 1894's the Tournament of Love, published by Brentano's
, with drawings by Alfred Garth Jones
. Later, music was composed for the piece by Noel Johnson
. The work was performed at the Théâtre d'Application, 18 rue St. Lazare, on May 8, 1894, with Peters playing the part of the troubadour Betrand de Roaix. He was a frequent guest of the Rhymers' Club
. Peters died of starvation in Paris.
Decadent movement
The Decadent movement was a late 19th century artistic and literary movement of Western Europe. It flourished in France, but also had devotees in England and throughout Europe, as well as in the United States.-Overview:...
, he was a friend of Ernest Dowson
Ernest Dowson
Ernest Christopher Dowson , born in Lee, London, was an English poet, novelist and writer of short stories, associated with the Decadent movement.- Biography :...
, who dedicated a poem to him, "To William Theodore Peters on His Renaissance Cloak". In October 1892, he commissioned Dowson to write the play that would ultimately become the Pierrot of the Minute, for him to act in. Peters also authored an epilogue to the play, spoken by the character of Pierrot. This was included in Peters' book of verse, Posies Out of Rings and Other Conceits, a "quaint little salmon pink volume", which was published by John Lane
John Lane
John Lane may refer to:*John Lane *John W. Lane , Texas politician*John Lane , British publisher*John Carey Lane , Mayor of Honolulu...
and the Bodley Head
The Bodley Head
The Bodley Head is an English publishing house, founded in 1887 and existing as an independent entity until the 1970s. The name has been used as an imprint of Random House Children's Books since 1987...
in 1896.. Peters also wrote a childrens book, 'The Children of the Week', illustrated by Clinton Peters, published in 1886 by Dodd, Mead, & Co. Peters' only other book was 1894's the Tournament of Love, published by Brentano's
Brentano's
Brentano's was an American bookstore. In addition to the numerous locations in the United States, there was a Brentano's on Avenue de l'Opéra in Paris, at the same location for 114 years....
, with drawings by Alfred Garth Jones
Alfred Garth Jones
Alfred Garth Jones was an English artist and illustrator who worked mainly in woodcut, pen and ink line art drawing and watercolour.-Early life:...
. Later, music was composed for the piece by Noel Johnson
Noel Johnson
Noel Johnson was an English actor.He was the radio voice of Dick Barton special agent on BBC radio and Dan Dare pilot of the future over Radio Luxembourg....
. The work was performed at the Théâtre d'Application, 18 rue St. Lazare, on May 8, 1894, with Peters playing the part of the troubadour Betrand de Roaix. He was a frequent guest of the Rhymers' Club
Rhymers' Club
The Rhymers' Club was a group of London-based poets, founded in 1890 by W. B. Yeats and Ernest Rhys. Originally not much more than a dining club, it produced anthologies of poetry in 1892 and 1894...
. Peters died of starvation in Paris.