WILLARD, E. S.

(1853-1915)

Born in England as Edward Smith Willard, he honed his acting skills invillainroles with American touring companies, first inThe Middleman(1890). Then he branched into comedies includingJ. M. Barrie'sThe Professor's Love Story(1892),John Needham's Double(1892),The Rogue's Comedy(1896),The Physician(1897),David Garrick(1900), andThe Cardinal(1902). He established the Edward Smith Willard Repertory Company to produce revivals of plays from the first decade of his career.