PALMER, A. M.

(1838-1905)

Connecticut-born Albert Marshman Palmer studied law at New York University, but chose to pursue political opportunity through a friendship with New York's Internal Revenue collector Sheridan Shook, who ultimately made Palmer manager of theUnion Square Theatre, where he producedRose Michel(1870) andThe Two Orphans(1874). The theatre failed atvaudeville, so Palmer established a repertory company to rival those of Lester Wallack andAugustin Daly. The company scored successes with several new plays, but a falling out with Shook led Palmer to take over theMadison Square Theatre, where he built a reputation for high quality productions of both American and European plays, the most successful of which wereAnselma(1885),Dr. Jekyll andMr. Hyde(1887),Partners(1888),Beau Brummel(1890),Alabama(1891),Lady Windermere's Fan(1893),New Blood(1894),Trilby(1895), andHis Absent Boy(1896). Palmer served as president of the Actors' Fund of America from 1885-1897. During his years of declining health, he served asRichardMansfield's manager and as manager ofCharlesFrohman's Herald Square Theatre.