MANTLE, BURNS

(1873-1948)

Robert Burns Mantle was born in Watertown, New York, where he apprenticed as a printer. He became a drama critic in 1898, writing reviews for theDenver Timesand theDenver Republicanbefore moving to Chicago for a six-year stint as critic for theInter-Ocean. In 1907, Mantle joined the staff of theChicago Tribune. Later he became critic for theNew York Evening Mail(1911-1922) and then theNew York Daily News(1922-1943). As a strong proponent of American drama, Mantle's most lasting contribution may be theBEST PLAYSannual he founded in 1919 (and edited from its founding to the 1947-1948 volume). It featured abridged versions of what he regarded as the most important American plays of the year, as well as narrative and statistical information on that year's Broadway theatre season. Mantle's other books includeAmerican Playwrights of To-Day(1929) andContemporary American Playwrights(1938).