Donahue, Lester, 1892-1964.

Lester Donahue was a concert pianist until the 1950s. He was involved heavily in the Los Angeles Art Commission. The collection is his personal library and memorabilia, central to which are the Helena Modjeska materials.

Helena Modjeska was one of the greatest international actresses of her time. Born in Poland she spent most of her brilliant career in the United States, moving to the Orange County region in Southern California in 1875. She toured the States with such established stars as Edwin Booth (1889-90 season) and future stars like Maurice Barrymore and Otis Skinner. Modjeska was especially renowned for her interpretations of Shakespeare heroines, both tragic and comic. She retired from the stage at the end of the 1906-07 season.