Theater: Biographies

The Oxford Companion to American Theatre The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre Further reading

Murdoch, James E(dward)

The Oxford Companion to American Theatre | 2004 | | Copyright

Murdoch, James E[dward] (1811?–93), actor. The son of a prominent Philadelphia family, he made his debut at the Arch Street Theatre in 1829 playing Frederick in Lovers' Vows. Murdoch quickly attained a national reputation, even though he performed far more frequently in his native city than elsewhere. As the result of accidental arsenic poisoning in 1832, which led to recurring problems, he retired temporarily from the stage on several occasions, but always returned within a few seasons and did not give his final performance until 1889. He won acclaim for his Claude Melnotte in The Lady of Lyons and his Hamlet, which many contemporaries considered the finest on the American stage until the advent of Edwin Booth. However, he was even more admired as a comedian. Among his best comic interpretations were Rover in Wild Oats, Charles Surface, Orlando, and Benedick. Playgoers and critics both praised his superb elocution and unostentatious manliness. Autobiography: The Stage, 1880.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Murdoch, James E(dward)." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Murdoch, James E(dward)." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O149-MurdochJamesEdward.html

Gerald Bordman and Thomas S. Hischak. "Murdoch, James E(dward)." The Oxford Companion to American Theatre. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O149-MurdochJamesEdward.html

Learn more about citation styles

Murdoch, James Edward

The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre | 1996 | | Copyright

Murdoch, James Edward (1811–93), American actor, considered by many of his contemporaries the finest light comedian of his day. He was especially noted for his clear diction. He began his career at the Arch Street Theatre in Philadelphia, where he was born, in 1829 and appeared at the Chestnut Street Theatre with Fanny Kemble in 1833. Intermittent ill health kept him off the stage on several occasions, but he always returned, to be warmly received in such parts as Charles Surface in Sheridan's The School for Scandal, Mirabell in Congreve's The Way of the World, and Benedick in Much Ado about Nothing. He was also admired in such serious roles as Hamlet and Claude Melnotte in Bulwer-Lytton's The Lady of Lyons. He finally retired in 1889, having achieved a national reputation in spite of acting mostly in Philadelphia.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Murdoch, James Edward." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Murdoch, James Edward." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-MurdochJamesEdward.html

PHYLLIS HARTNOLL and PETER FOUND. "Murdoch, James Edward." The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 1996. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-MurdochJamesEdward.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Iris Murdoch and the good psychoanalyst. (novelist) Magazine article from: Twentieth Century Literature; 9/22/1994
	Bancrofts entertain bid; Dow shares up; Family will now meet Murdoch.(BUSINESS) Newspaper article from: The Washington Times (Washington, DC); 6/2/2007
	Murdoch bids for Journal. Newspaper article from: The Daily Mail (London, England); 5/2/2007