HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDWIN BOOTH! Despite the shame his brother put upon his family, largely overshadowing him, Edwin was an extremely talented and beloved stage actor. His most well-known feat, performing William Shakespeare’s Hamlet 100 nights in a row. The record wasn’t broken until 1922.
The tragedian was a caring father, brother, and husband. He regretted the actions of John Wilkes, even denying he knew his brother very well when asked to talk about him.
I’m sure everyone knows the story of how he saved Robert Todd Lincoln, the president’s son, after he fell onto a train platform. This must have provided him great solace after the assassination.
But this post isn’t about the assassination. This isn’t about what his brother did. No, that’s simply not what we should remember the great tragedian for. We should remember Edwin Booth for what he did best: bringing Shakespeare to life, and bringing joy to Americans in a turbulent time.