Augustin Daly

John Augustin Daly was born on July 20, 1838, in Plymouth, North Carolina. He graduated from a public school in New York City. He worked as theatre critic for several New York newspapers during the 1850's and 1860's. At that time he was writing adaptations as well as his own plays. In 1869 he had his first success with his play 'Under the Gaslight'. In 1869 he became the manager of the Fifth Avenue Theatre. Then years later he built and opened Daly's Theatre in New York. In 1893 he opened Daly's Theatre in London. Augustin Daly was an acclaimed acting teacher. He scouted aspiring actors and provided them with training and performing opportunities. Daly's troupe in New York was the starting point for some of the famous actors, such as Isadora Duncan, Tyrone Power Sr., Clara Morris, and others. Daly was also an avid reader and a book-lover; he assembled a valuable library, which was dispersed by auction after his death. Augustin Daly died on June 7, 1899, in Paris, France.