BARRYMORE, MAURICE

(1847-1905)

Born in Fort Agra, India, Herbert Blyth, who changed his name to Maurice Barrymore when he left Oxford University to go on the stage, became the amateur middleweight boxing champion of England before his 1872 stage debut at the Theatre Royal, Windsor. After serving an apprenticeship for three years on provincial English stages, Barrymore emigrated to the United States, appearing for several managements, including those ofAugustin Daly, Lester Wallack, andA. M. Palmer, where his good looks and witty charm made him an audience favorite. His American debut in Boston inUnder the Gaslight* established him, after which he replacedJohn DrewinThe Big Bonanzaand appeared with his future wife,Georgiana Drew, inPique(1875).

Barrymore's most noted stage successes were in Shakespeare oppositeHelena Modjeska, beginning in 1882, and inAlabamaandCaptain Swift, both in 1888.The latter was a significant popular success that Barrymore failed to fully exploit, as was the case with the eight plays that he wrote, includingNadjezda(1884),The Robber of the Rhine(1892), andRoaring Dick&Co. (1896). He unsuccessfully sued Victorien Sardou, claiming that the French playwright plagiarized the plot ofNadjezdaforTosca. Barrymore appeared withMrs. Leslie CarterinDavidBelasco'sThe Heart of Maryland(1895), and was widely praised as Rawdon Crawley oppositeMinnie Mad-dern FiskeinBecky Sharp(1899). He fatheredLionel, Ethel, andJohn Barrymore, among the most celebrated stage and motion picture actors of the first half of the 20th century. After his wife died in 1893, however, Barrymore's profligate ways spun out of control, and his career was cut short when he died of paresis.