Fanny Brough (1854-1914) was born in Manchester, England to Robert Barnabus Brough, a poet, burlesque comedy writer, and periodical contributor. Her uncle, Lionel Brough, was a comic actor. Her father died in 1860, leaving the family with little money and eventually causing Fanny to turn to the stage in order to provide for her family. Brough opened in London in 1870 in the play Fernande playing Fernande and within a decade was one of the most respected and well-known comic actresses in England. She would open in such plays as Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband in 1895 (Mrs. Markby) and Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession in 1902 (Mrs. Warren). In 1903 she toured to the United States and appeared in New York in Saucy Sally and The Man from Blankley's. Other productions she appeared in included The Prodigal Daughter, The Real Little Lord Fauntleroy, and The Duke of Killicrankie. Ms. Brough was a member of the council of The Actor's Association, which had been founded by Sir Henry Irving as the first pseudo-acting union in the UK and which was active in pushing for more sanitary working conditions for actors. In addition to this, she was the first President of the Theatrical Ladies Guild, a philanthropic organization established in 1891 to collect, make, and distribute clothing and heating coal to actresses who were facing financial hardship, especially maternity cases. Over the years, this organization (which changed its name to The Theatre Guild in 2001) has grown to not only help actresses, but also men, other production team positions, and pensioners. What started as a clothing distribution effort now provides financial help for pensioners, for those who are battling cancer and other illnesses, and for members of the profession who are currently working but need emergency help. (http://www.stagebeauty.net/th-frames.html?http&&&www.stagebeauty.net/th-...) This letter, written on Oct. 17th in an unknown year, is from Fanny Brough to Lily, possibly another actress. Characteristically, Brough is pledging her support, as she was always working tirelessly for the betterment of the profession. It reads: J. R. D. Lane Oct. 17th Dearest Lily - Certainly I will attend the meeting if I am not rehearsing - & should I be able to help towards what appears a worthy scheme by sticking & speaking up for you I of course will. With Much love Yours always - Fanny Brough Production(s) represented: Peck's Bad Boy. Character role(s) represented: Willie McDermott (Henry Peck), Fred Wenzel (Max Schultz), J. Henry Macke (Major Isaac Peck), W. H. Macpherson (Christian Mildway, LLD), H. F. Newton (Jonas Bullock, MD), John Morris (Patrick Duffy), Lizzie Anderson (Jimmy Duffy), Harry N. Welch (Tommy Russell), Abbie M. Heath (Mrs. Peck), Annie Martel (Minnie Clay), Nellie Shook (Lizzie Conner), Ella Chandler (Florence Creighton), Mamie Durand (Jennie Marshal), Kittie Ardine (Mollie Delano), Little Teeney (A Waif) Artistic role(s) represented: Charles F. Pidgin (playwright), George W. Heath (Producer).