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{{Short description|American actor and writer (1831–1891)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = William Jermyn Conlin
| name = William J. Florence
| image = William J Florence 001.jpg
| image = William J Florence 001.jpg
| birth_name = William Jermyn Conlin
| imagesize = 120px
| caption = aka William J. Florence
| birth_date = {{birth date|1831|7|26|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1831|7|26|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Albany, New York]], [[United States]]
| birth_place = [[Albany, New York]], [[United States]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1891|11|19|1831|7|26|mf=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1891|11|19|1831|7|26|mf=y}}
| death_place = [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], United States
| death_place = [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], United States
| spouse = {{Marriage|Anna Teresa Pray; alias Malvina Pray; professionally: Mrs. W. J. Florence|January 1, 1853|reason=<!--Omission per Template:Marriage instructions-->}}
| signature = Signature of William Jermyn Florence (1831–1891).png
}}
}}
[[File: The life and art of Edwin Booth and his contemporaries (1906) (14772547992).jpg|thumb|right|Malvina Pray (c. 1830 – 1906), known famously as Mrs. W. J. Florence]]

⚫
'''William Jermyn Conlin''' (July 26, 1831 – November 19, 1891), better known by his [[stage name]] '''William J. Florence''', was a [[United States|US]] [[actor]], [[songwriter]], and [[playwright]]. Florence awarded the ribbon of the French Societe Histoire Dramatique.<ref>''Britannica'', Micropædia Ready Reference, University of Chicago, Vol 4, p 839, 1988</ref> He was also co-founder with [[Walter M. Fleming]] of the [[Shriners]], a [[Masonic Order]].
'''William Jermyn Conlin''' (July 26, 1831 – November 19, 1891)<ref name=NYTObit>
{{cite news
|url= http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B02E2DE133AE533A25753C2A9679D94609ED7CF
|accessdate= 2007-10-26
|title= Florence passes away
|work= [[New York Times]]
| date=November 20, 1891
⚫
}}</ref> better known by his [[stage name]] '''William J. Florence''', was a [[United States|US]] [[actor]], [[songwriter]], and [[playwright]]. Florence was one of a select number of Americans to win the ribbon of the French Societe Histoire Dramatique.<ref>''Britannica'', Micropædia Ready Reference, University of Chicago, Vol 4, p 839, 1988</ref> He was also co-founder with [[Walter M. Fleming]] of the [[Shriners]], a [[Masonic Order]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
Born of Irish parents and raised in [[New York City]], Florence worked at various jobs before becoming a call boy at the [[Bowery Theatre|Old Bowery Theater]]. While working to support his widowed mother and her seven younger children, he rehearsed plays at night, and in 1850 he began to do dialect impersonations. In 1853 he married Malvina Pray,<ref>Note. Sister of actress Maria Pray, wife of actor [[Barney Williams (actor)|Barney Williams]] - Derby, George, White, James Terry - The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Vol. 5, 1897, p. 440 - Mrs. Barney Williams Dead-The New York Times, May 7, 1911, p. 11</ref> and thereafter the two generally appeared together on the stage — he usually as an Irishman and she as a Yankee. From Malvina's observation of wealthy American on vacation abroad, Florence asked [[Benjamin Edward Woolf]] to write ''The Mighty Dollar'', that the couple would perform in over 2,500 times during the mid-1870s and well into the 1880s.<ref>The Mighty Dollar.- The Indiana Democrat; February 18, 1886; pg. 4</ref>
Born of Irish parents and raised in [[New York City]], Florence worked at various jobs before becoming a call boy at the [[Bowery Theatre|Old Bowery Theater]]. While working to support his widowed mother and her seven younger children, he rehearsed plays at night, and in 1850 he began to do dialect impersonations. In 1853 he married [[Malvina Pray Florence|Malvina Pray]],{{Efn|Sister of actress Maria Pray, wife of actor [[Barney Williams (actor)|Barney Williams]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/nationalcyclopa04unkngoog/page/440/mode/1up |title=The National Cyclopedia of American Biography |volume=V |publisher=James T. White & Company |location=New York |page=440 |year=1897 |access-date=2022-03-22 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98152866/mrs-barney-williams-dead/ |title=Mrs. Barney Williams Dead |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=11 |date=May 7, 1911 |access-date=2022-03-22 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>}} and thereafter the two generally appeared together on the stage; he usually as an Irishman and she as a Yankee. Florence gained national prominence with a forty-year career in which he excelled at playing the humorous and poetic Irish character. ''Ticket-of-Leave Man'' was presented by him more than one thousand times on national tours. In his later years he partnered with actor Joseph Jefferson as half of a comedy duo.<ref>Carolyn Grattan Eichin, ''From San Francisco Eastward: Victorian Theater in the American West'', (Reno: University of Nevada Press, 2020), 221, 227–228 </ref>


From Malvina's observation of wealthy American on vacation abroad, Florence asked [[Benjamin Edward Woolf]] to write ''The Mighty Dollar'', that the couple would perform in over 2,500 times during the mid-1870s and well into the 1880s.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98152976/the-mighty-dollar/ |title='The Mighty Dollar' |newspaper=The Indiana Democrat |page=8 |date=February 18, 1886 |access-date=2022-03-22 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
⚫
Conlin was fond of [[Florence, Italy]], where he had an apartment for his trips abroad, and adopted the city for his stage name.<ref>Gaylor Bronson Conlin, Sr., b. 1913, d. 10-17-2004
⚫
</ref> At some point after he became famous under this name, he secured the legal right to it.<ref name=NYTObit />


⚫
Conlin was fond of [[Florence, Italy]], where he had an apartment, and adopted the city for his stage name.<ref>Gaylor Bronson Conlin, Sr., b. 1913, d. 10-17-2004
⚫
Florence's first success was in ''A Row at the Lyceum'' (1851); following this, he established his reputation as Captain Cuttle in ''Dombey and Son'', Bob Brierly in ''[[The Ticket-of-Leave Man (play)|The Ticket-of-Leave Man]]'', and Sir Lucius O’Trigger in ''[[The Rivals]]''. His last appearance was <!-- with [[Joseph Jefferson]], with whom he had maintained a successful partnership. -->as Zekiel Homespun in a production of ''Heir-at-Law''.<ref name=NYTObit /> Florence is interred at [[Green-Wood Cemetery]] in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
⚫
</ref> At some point after he became famous under this name, he secured the legal right to it.<ref name=NYTObit>
{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98152676/florence-passes-away/ |title=Florence Passes Away |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |location=Philadelphia |page=5 |date=November 20, 1891 |access-date=2022-03-22 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>


⚫
Florence's first success was in ''A Row at the Lyceum'' (1851); following this, he established his reputation as Captain Cuttle in ''Dombey and Son'', Bob Brierly in ''[[The Ticket-of-Leave Man (play)|The Ticket-of-Leave Man]]'', and Sir Lucius O’Trigger in ''[[The Rivals]]''. His last appearance was <!-- with [[Joseph Jefferson]], with whom he had maintained a successful partnership. -->as Zekiel Homespun in a production of ''Heir-at-Law''.<ref name=NYTObit />

Florence died in Philadelphia on November 19, 1891.<ref name=NYTObit/> The funeral service took place at [[St. Agnes Church (New York City)|St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church]] in New York City.<ref>{{cite book |last1=McKay |first1=Frederic Edward |last2=Wingate |first2=Charles Edgar Louis |title=Famous American Actors of To-day |date=1896 |publisher=T.Y. Crowell |page=105 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AYn5AAAAIAAJ&dq=william+j.+florence+catholic&pg=PA105 |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

He is interred at [[Green-Wood Cemetery]] in Brooklyn.

According to eyewitness statements, two days before his death Florence received the [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church]], including [[Holy Communion]], from Rev. Father Flanagan of the [[St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church (Philadelphia)|St. Mary's Church, Philadelphia]]. To receive these, he must have ceased to be a Mason. He had allegedly renounced Freemasonry in 1876.<ref>{{cite book |title=Donahoe's Magazine |date=1892 |publisher=Donahoe's Magazine Company |pages=88 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Ik4AQAAMAAJ&dq=william+j.+florence+catholic&pg=PA88 |access-date=15 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref>


==Literature==
==Literature==
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==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
{{Notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* {{NIE}}
* {{NIE}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|William J. Florence}}
{{Commons category|William J. Florence}}
* [http://www.green-wood.com/burial_results/index.php Green-Wood Cemetery Burial Search]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Florence, William Jermyn |short=x}}
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Florence, William Jermyn |short=x}}
* {{Find a Grave |id=22066824}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:1891 deaths]]
[[Category:1891 deaths]]
[[Category:Shriners]]
[[Category:Shriners]]
[[Category:Writers from New York]]
[[Category:Writers from Albany, New York]]
[[Category:Male actors from New York]]
[[Category:Male actors from Albany, New York]]
[[Category:People from Albany, New York]]
[[Category:19th-century American dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:19th-century American dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:The Lambs presidents]]
[[Category:The Lambs presidents]]
[[Category:19th-century American musicians]]
[[Category:19th-century American musicians]]
[[Category:19th-century male actors]]
[[Category:19th-century American male actors]]

Latest revision as of 01:35, 1 October 2024

William J. Florence
Born
William Jermyn Conlin

(1831-07-26)July 26, 1831
Albany, New York, United States
DiedNovember 19, 1891(1891-11-19) (aged 60)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Spouse(s)
Anna Teresa Pray; alias Malvina Pray; professionally: Mrs. W. J. Florence
​
​
(after 1853)​
Signature
Malvina Pray (c. 1830 – 1906), known famously as Mrs. W. J. Florence

William Jermyn Conlin (July 26, 1831 – November 19, 1891), better known by his stage name William J. Florence, was a US actor, songwriter, and playwright. Florence awarded the ribbon of the French Societe Histoire Dramatique.[1] He was also co-founder with Walter M. Fleming of the Shriners, a Masonic Order.

Biography

[edit]

Born of Irish parents and raised in New York City, Florence worked at various jobs before becoming a call boy at the Old Bowery Theater. While working to support his widowed mother and her seven younger children, he rehearsed plays at night, and in 1850 he began to do dialect impersonations. In 1853 he married Malvina Pray,[a] and thereafter the two generally appeared together on the stage; he usually as an Irishman and she as a Yankee. Florence gained national prominence with a forty-year career in which he excelled at playing the humorous and poetic Irish character. Ticket-of-Leave Man was presented by him more than one thousand times on national tours. In his later years he partnered with actor Joseph Jefferson as half of a comedy duo.[4]

From Malvina's observation of wealthy American on vacation abroad, Florence asked Benjamin Edward Woolf to write The Mighty Dollar, that the couple would perform in over 2,500 times during the mid-1870s and well into the 1880s.[5]

Conlin was fond of Florence, Italy, where he had an apartment, and adopted the city for his stage name.[6] At some point after he became famous under this name, he secured the legal right to it.[7]

Florence's first success was in A Row at the Lyceum (1851); following this, he established his reputation as Captain Cuttle in Dombey and Son, Bob Brierly in The Ticket-of-Leave Man, and Sir Lucius O’Trigger in The Rivals. His last appearance was as Zekiel Homespun in a production of Heir-at-Law.[7]

Florence died in Philadelphia on November 19, 1891.[7] The funeral service took place at St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church in New York City.[8]

He is interred at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

According to eyewitness statements, two days before his death Florence received the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, including Holy Communion, from Rev. Father Flanagan of the St. Mary's Church, Philadelphia. To receive these, he must have ceased to be a Mason. He had allegedly renounced Freemasonry in 1876.[9]

Literature

[edit]
  • McKay and Wingate, Famous American Actors of To-Day (New York, 1896)
  • Matthews and Hutton, Actors and Actresses of Great Britain and the United States (New York, 1886)
  • Winter, The Wallet of Time (New York, 1913)

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Sister of actress Maria Pray, wife of actor Barney Williams[2][3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Britannica, Micropædia Ready Reference, University of Chicago, Vol 4, p 839, 1988
  2. ^ The National Cyclopedia of American Biography. Vol. V. New York: James T. White & Company. 1897. p. 440. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ "Mrs. Barney Williams Dead". The New York Times. May 7, 1911. p. 11. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Carolyn Grattan Eichin, From San Francisco Eastward: Victorian Theater in the American West, (Reno: University of Nevada Press, 2020), 221, 227–228
  5. ^ "'The Mighty Dollar'". The Indiana Democrat. February 18, 1886. p. 8. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Gaylor Bronson Conlin, Sr., b. 1913, d. 10-17-2004
  7. ^ a b c "Florence Passes Away". New York Times. Philadelphia. November 20, 1891. p. 5. Retrieved March 22, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ McKay, Frederic Edward; Wingate, Charles Edgar Louis (1896). Famous American Actors of To-day. T.Y. Crowell. p. 105. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  9. ^ Donahoe's Magazine. Donahoe's Magazine Company. 1892. p. 88. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
[edit]
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