Walsh, Townsend

Walsh graduated from Harvard in 1895.

From the description of Themes in English 23, 1893-1894. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 77073932

From the description of Notes and theme for French 7, 1893-1894. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 77073931

From the description of Frederick Lemaitre et son temps : theme for French 1a, May 1, 1892. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 77073808

From the description of Themes in French 4, 1892-1893. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 77073857

From the description of Notes and themes in French 6, 1892-1893. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 77073858

From the description of Impressions from Schopenhauer's third book : [paper for] Philosophy 8, May 1, 1895. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 77074019

Townsend Walsh (1872-1941) worked as a press agent for various theatrical companies beginning in 1898. He was also a drama critic, playwright, collector, theater and circus historian, and sometime actor.

From the guide to the The wizard of Oz: scrapbook;, 1902-1903, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)

Townsend Walsh (1872-1941) worked as a press agent for various theatrical companies beginning in 1898.

He was also a drama critic, playwright, collector, theater and circus historian, and sometime actor.

From the description of The wizard of Oz: scrapbook ; 1902-1903. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 86164364

Townsend Walsh (1872-1941) was involved with the American theatre as press agent, business manager, drama critic, playwright, collector, theatre and circus historian, and sometime actor.

In 1897 his play, the Boys of Kilkenny, was produced in New York City. The next year he began work as a press agent in the theatre. From 1923 to 1926 he was a press agent for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. In addition to his work as a press agent for theatrical companies, Walsh also worked directly for several newspapers as a drama critic. His writings included several plays, a published biography of Dion Boucicault, and two unpublished full-length studies on the circus. He was an avid collector of theatrical and circus memorabilia.

From the description of Townsend Walsh papers, 1763-1935, bulk (1890-1935). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122576014

Throughout his life, Townsend Walsh was involved with the American theatre in a variety of capacities--press agent, business manager, drama critic, playwright, collector, theatre and circus historian and sometime actor. Born in Albany, New York in 1872, to Augustus Henry and Laura Spencer Walsh, Townsend Walsh graduated from the Albany Academy in 1891 and from Harvard University in 1895. While at Harvard, he apparently took George Pierce Baker's playwriting course, served on the editorial staff of the Harvard Advocate, and was a commencement speaker for his class.

In 1897 Walsh's play, The Boys of Kilkenny, was produced at the Star Theatre in New York. The next year, 1898, Walsh began work as advance press representative for Mrs. Minnie Maddern Fiske in the production Love Finds A Way, followed by Tess of the D'Ubervilles and Becky Sharpe. This was the beginning of a long and fruitful career as an advance press agent in the theatre. After his work with Mrs. Fiske, Walsh worked for Fred Hamlin of the Grand Opera House with Hamlin's touring productions of Bases in Toyland and the Wizard of Oz between 1902 and 1906. This was followed by four years as press agent for Otis Skinner in various plays-- Honour of the Family, The Duel, and Your Humble Servant. During subsequent years he worked for various performers including Mrs. Patrick Campbell (1910), Blanche Bates (1913) Ethel Barrymore (1913), E.H. Sothern (1916) and John Drew (1914). Some of the producers he worked for included Henry Savage, Charles Frohman, the Schuberts and Winthrop Ames. In 1923, Walsh went to work as a press agent for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus--a job which was a logical outgrowth of his increasing interest in the circus and of his contacts with many friends and acquaintances in the circus world. He left the circus in 1926 and, in 1927, returned to work with Mrs. Fiske in her productions of Ghosts and Merry Wives of Windsor.

The title of Walsh's positions in the theatre and circus varied-- press agent, press representative, advance press representative, business manager. Despite the different labels, however, his work seems to have generally consisted of travelling across the United States and into Canada, going ahead of touring shows in order to do advance publicity for an upcoming play or circus show. In some cases, Walsh apparently also performed other business activities such as arranging transportation for the acting company, reserving accommodations and working with the managers of theatre in which the touring company would play. Walsh seems to have been well respected in his profession as evidenced by his steady employment with important theatrical producers and performers. In addition to his work as a press agent for theatrical companies, Walsh also worked directly for several newspapers as a drama critic including the Albany Express (1890-92?), the New York World (1895), the New York Dramatic Mirror (1897) and the Boston Traveller (1917-1918).

Walsh's writings include several plays, a published biography of Dion Boucicault, The Career of Dion Boucicault, and two unpublished full-length studies on the circus, Love of the Circus and King Clown. Although Walsh finished the Boucicault biography in 1910, he was unable to get it published until 1915. Walsh's book on Boucicault, although not completely reliable, is still considered a useful source on the Irish playwright. Walsh pursued many research interests throughout his life including theatrical performers and the history of pantomime and the circus. His many notes and writings attest to this lifelong interest in theatre and circus history.

Walsh's acting experience included a role in the Albany production of Fair Rosamund (1895), a part in his own play Boys of Kilkenny (1897), summer stock at the Davidson theatre in Milwaukee (1900), and the role of the beggar in Yeats' play The Pot of Broth with the Irish Literary Society (1903).

Walsh was an avid collector of theatrical and circus memorabilia. At the time of his death, he was considered to have one of the best collections of circus materials in the United States. He also collected a mass of letters of important theatrical figures--most notably of Dion Boucicault and Boucicault's wife Agnes and son Aubrey.

Walsh had a wide circle of friends within the theatrical and newspaper profession. He was a member of the Players, the Lambs and Green Room Club and the Harvard Club. He was known as someone who enjoyed a good time and a strong drink. Throughout his life, he went on and off the wagon but his drinking does not seem to have interfered with his professional work. An important friend in Walsh's life--and one who urged him not to partake of liquor--was John Quinn. The shared interest in all things Irish seems to have been a strong bond between the two men. Quinn was very supportive of Walsh's work on Boucicault and tried to help Walsh get the biography published. Another important friendship in Walsh's life was with theatre historian, William J. Lawrence, with whom he corresponded and visited in Dublin. Lawrence helped Walsh with the Boucicault biography by doing some research through Dublin records. The two men seem to have had some kind of falling out, however, around 1914.

Walsh travelled widely and seemed to enjoy his many trips abroad. He often used these trips to do research on the history of pantomime and the circus. Evidently Walsh never married. Although his work took him across the country for a good portion of each year, Walsh seems to have maintained close ties to his home city of Albany, often returning there for summers. In his later years, he apparently split his time between Albany and trips abroad. Although little is known about his family, he had a least one sister, Esther, and possibly two other sisters, Kate and Julia as well as a brother. Walsh died in 1941.

From the guide to the Townsend Walsh papers, 1763-1935, 1890-1935, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)