Thorndike, Eileen (1891–1954)

views updated

Thorndike, Eileen (1891–1954)

English actress. Born Jan 31, 1891, in Rochester, Kent, England; died April 17, 1954; dau. of Canon Arthur John Webster Thorndike and Agnes Macdonald (Bowers) Thorndike; sister of Russell Thorndike (1885–1972, actor and playwright) and Sybil Thorndike (actress); m. Maurice Ewbank, 1920 (died).

Made stage debut as a walk-on in As You Like It (1909), then joined Annie Horniman's company in Manchester; appeared at Liverpool Rep (1912–17), then Ben Greet's company (1917–19); retired from stage (1920–30), reappearing in Madame Plays Nap; other plays include Saint Joan, Fire, The Brontës of Haworth (as Charlotte), The Cathedral, The Family Reunion, Mandragola and Hindle Wakes; served as principal of Embassy School of Acting (1933–39) and producer at Central School of Speech at the Albert Hall.

About this article

Thorndike, Eileen (1891–1954)

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article