Theatrical Figure. He received recognition as an American playwright, producer, director, and publisher. His most famous 1895 play was adapted to the 1915 silent film, "The District Attorney." Born into a wealthy hotel owner's family, he had a private education before starting at New York University in 1872 yet attending only one year. He had an interest in the theater at an early age and also publishing material on his own printing press. He started writing for various New York newspapers as well as beginning a 32-year affiliation with the popular trade magazine the "New York Drama Mirror," which his father owned. By 1879, he was the editor of the "New York Drama Mirror," while his brother Lyman was the business manager. In March of 1890, he became the second husband of actress, Minnie Madden Fiske. He had been in a play with her when they both were children. The couple did not have any children but adopted in 1922 an infant boy. He and his wife legally fought against the monopoly of the powerful Theatrical Syndicate, a management company that dominated American stage bookings around the turn of the twentieth century. Eventually, he and his wife opened their own theater, the Manhattan Theater, producing plays there for at least six years. He produced more than 140 plays. Early in his career, he wrote and directed "Hester Crewe" in 1893, "The Privateer" in 1897, and "The Queen of Liars" in 1896. He hired the authority on playwriting, William Thompson Price, to edit his plays. In 1911 he sold the "New York Drama Mirror." By 1915, he was near penniless from the legal battle against the Theatrical Syndicate and declared bankruptcy. He died of a heart attack while writing his memoirs.
Theatrical Figure. He received recognition as an American playwright, producer, director, and publisher. His most famous 1895 play was adapted to the 1915 silent film, "The District Attorney." Born into a wealthy hotel owner's family, he had a private education before starting at New York University in 1872 yet attending only one year. He had an interest in the theater at an early age and also publishing material on his own printing press. He started writing for various New York newspapers as well as beginning a 32-year affiliation with the popular trade magazine the "New York Drama Mirror," which his father owned. By 1879, he was the editor of the "New York Drama Mirror," while his brother Lyman was the business manager. In March of 1890, he became the second husband of actress, Minnie Madden Fiske. He had been in a play with her when they both were children. The couple did not have any children but adopted in 1922 an infant boy. He and his wife legally fought against the monopoly of the powerful Theatrical Syndicate, a management company that dominated American stage bookings around the turn of the twentieth century. Eventually, he and his wife opened their own theater, the Manhattan Theater, producing plays there for at least six years. He produced more than 140 plays. Early in his career, he wrote and directed "Hester Crewe" in 1893, "The Privateer" in 1897, and "The Queen of Liars" in 1896. He hired the authority on playwriting, William Thompson Price, to edit his plays. In 1911 he sold the "New York Drama Mirror." By 1915, he was near penniless from the legal battle against the Theatrical Syndicate and declared bankruptcy. He died of a heart attack while writing his memoirs.
Bio by: Linda Davis
Family Members
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See more Fiske memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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