When Mrs. August Belmont died in 1979, just before her 100th birthday, she was remembered as a philanthropist and advocate for the arts, especially the Metropolitan Opera, but before her triumphs as Mrs. Belmont, she had dignified the American stage for 13 glorious years as Eleanor Robson, actress. Her splendid voice, understated style, and always-evident intelligence thrilled legions of theatregoers and enthralled the best playwrights of her time, including Israel Zangwill, Clyde Fitch, and George Bernard Shaw.Despite the brevity of her career, Eleanor Robson stands as a prototype for many actresses who followed her--women who sought to control their own careers and lives, demanded artistic respect and freedom, and who, by the twenty-first century, would confidently call themselves not actresses, but actors. This is her first book-length biography, focusing particularly on her theatrical career.

Praiseworthy and complete scholarship make this the definitive work on the subject.

Vol. for 1888 includes dramatic directory for Feb.-Dec.; vol. for 1889 includes dramatic directory for Jan.-May.

Includes: biographies of fellows appointed; reappointments; publications of fellows; musical compositions of fellows; academic appointments of fellows; index of fellows.

Examines the life and work of the motion picture director best known for his biblical sagas, including "Samson and Delilah" and "The Ten Commandments," discussing his complex personal life and the paradoxes existing within his films.