Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography, edited by James
Grant Wilson, John Fiske and Stanley L. Klos. Six volumes, New York: D. Appleton
and Company, 1887-1889 and 1999. Virtualology.com warns that these 19th Century
biographies contain errors and bias. We rely on volunteers to edit the historic
biographies on a continual basis. If you would like to edit this biographyplease
submit a rewritten biography in text form.
If acceptable, the new biography will be published above the 19th Century
Appleton's Cyclopedia Biography citing the volunteer editor
Virtual American Biographies
Over 30,000 personalities
with thousands of 19th Century illustrations, signatures, and exceptional life
stories. Virtualology.com
welcomes editing and additions to the
biographies. To become this site's editor or a contributor
Click Here
or e-mail Virtualology here.
SILSBEE, Joshua S., actor, born in Litchfield, Connecticut, 4 January, 1815; died in San Francisco, California, 22 December, 1855. He made his first appearance on the stage at Natchez, Mississippi, in the winter of 1837, and afterward played Jonathan Ploughboy in " Forest Rose" at the Walnut street theatre, Philadelphia, in 1841. He appeared as a star soon afterward in Boston. Going to England in 1851, he was the first comedian to introduce Yankee characters on the stage in that country, opening at the Adelphi, London, in his favorite part of Jonathan Plough-boy. During his residence in England, Tom Taylor, the dramatic author, is said to have written for him the play that afterward became famous as "The American Cousin," though it is doubtful whether he ever appeared in it. After his death his widow brought the piece to the United States and sold it to Laura Keene. Soon afterward John Sleeper Clark brought out the play in Philadelphia, and from the disputed ownership arose a long copyright lawsuit. Laura Keene subsequently sold, or gave, her copy to Edward A. Sothern. The Yankee part was thus probably first played not by Silsbee, but by Joseph Jefferson, under Miss Keene's management.
Unauthorized Site:
This site and its contents are not affiliated, connected,
associated with or authorized by the individual, family,
friends, or trademarked entities utilizing any part or
the subject's entire name. Any official or affiliated
sites that are related to this subject will be hyper
linked below upon submission
and Evisum, Inc. review.
Please join us in our mission to incorporate The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America discovery-based curriculum into the classroom of every primary and secondary school in the United States of America by July 2, 2026, the nation’s 250th birthday. , the United States of America: We The
People. Click Here
