Charlotte Cushman (1816-1876) was the first actress of American birth who could claim legitimate fame upon the stage. Beginning her performance career with a dream of singing opera, she joined a local choir and before long a generous benefactor appeared and arranged for vocal instruction. Within a few years she was a popular opera singer (contralto) in Boston. Traveling to New Orleans to continue building her career, however, she met with harsh critics who declared that she could not sing. Her voice began to decline, and that is when someone suggested she be an actor instead, as her reviews in New Orleans had always been more praiseworthy of her acting of roles than the singing of them. Also in New Orleans was James Barton, a tragic actor who needed someone to play opposite him. He trained Charlotte, and a short time after the demise of her opera career (at twenty years of age), she opened with Barton as Lady Macbeth. The praise was immediate, Barton declaring her the greatest living actress on the stage. This praise would continue the rest of her performing days, as she built a name for herself in America for the next eight years. Despite the fame and many engagements Cushman secured in America, it was impossible for her to demand a large salary without English affirmation and approval; London was still the theatre capital of the world, and America had yet to establish a real theatre of its own. From 1844-1849, Cushman performed in London and the provinces to much acclaim. While there, she performed Lady Macbeth, Romeo, Claude Melnotte in The Lady of Lyons, Rosalind, Meg Merrilies in Guy Mannering, and Mrs. Haller in The Stranger, among others. Mrs. Haller in The Stranger was a particularly popular role for Charlotte in England, and so it was the role Charlotte chose to open with in New York upon her return to the United States in 1849. The Stranger was a high melodrama and afforded Charlotte the opportunity to show tragic despair, suffering, and pure goodness in addition to a dramatic death scene in the arms of her children right at the end of the play! This book plate illustrates Cushman in the role of Mrs. Haller and was taken from a painting by W. H. Watkins. Production(s) represented: Rip Van Winkle. Character role(s) represented: Mr. Joseph Jefferson (Rip Van Winkle), Mr. Leslie Allen (Derrick Von Beekman), J. F. Hagan (Cockels), S. J. Willis (Nichols Vedder), Emerson (Stein), Master Johnny Browne (Little Hendrick), Jennie Rist (Little Meenie), Williams (Clausen), Mrs. J. B. Booth (Gretchen Van Winkle), Mr. Daniels (Swaggerins), Mr. Scott (Hendrick Hudson), D. J. Maguinnis (Seth), Shirley France (Hendrick Vedder), Miss Rachel Noah (Meenie Van Winkle), Mrs. J. H. Browne (Katchen) Artistic role(s) represented: Junius Brutus Booth, Jr. (Manager), Joseph Jefferson (Actor), Dion Boucicault (Playwright).