#clyde fitch

[chemung-valley-curator]

W. Clyde Fitch, A Father of the American Stage by Susan Zehnder, Education Director

Playwright William Clyde Fitch once said he “would rather be misunderstood than lose his independence” and embraced his individualism. As a gay man living at the turn of the twentieth century, Fitch had always lived the life he wanted to, often going against established expectations.

Born in Elmira in 1865, Fitch grew up in Schenectady. His father, William G. Fitch was a former captain in the Union army during the Civil War, and his mother was a vivacious southern belle. Clyde, as he was known, was their only child and he showed an early ability to tell amusing stories and entertain others. (READ MORE)

[lost-in-woodlawn]

Happy Gay Pride Weekend!

Around the turn of the 20th century, Clyde Fitch was the most popular playwright on Broadway.  At one point, he had an unheard of five shows running at the same time!  Fitch suffered from ill health for most of his life and was only 44 when he died in France in 1909; he rests in Woodlawn Cemetery’s Wintergreen plot.

The never-married Fitch was known as a “dandy” in his day and going by his written correspondence it’s probable he had a brief affair with Oscar Wilde. He was also good (platonic) friends with Edith Wharton. His literary agent was lesbian Elisabeth Marbury who openly lived for decades with her partner Elsie DeWolfe. 

Elisabeth Marbury also rests in Woodlawn; I’ve blogged about her before: https://lost-in-woodlawn.tumblr.com/post/162243799522/happy-pride-weekend-elisabeth-bessy-marbury

Fitch in his study in Connecticut; photo via NYPL Digital Collections https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47d9-b980-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

The above poster for Fitch’s play “Girls” and the photo of the beautiful Woodlawn mausoleum Fitch’s mother had designed for him were found at his Wiki page where you can find more biographical info as well as links to other reference pages.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Fitch

The website NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project has a page referencing Clyde Fitch and other LGBT people who rest in Woodlawn Cemetery; you can see it here: https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/woodlawn-cemetery/

[chemung-valley-curator]

W. Clyde Fitch, A Father of the American Stage by Susan Zehnder, Education Director

Playwright William Clyde Fitch once said he “would rather be misunderstood than lose his independence” and embraced his individualism. As a gay man living at the turn of the twentieth century, Fitch had always lived the life he wanted to, often going against established expectations. (READ MORE)

[travsd]

The Spirit of Barbara Fritchie

December 3 was the birthday of Barbara Fritchie (1766-1862). I don’t expect that you will know the name off the bat but I hope you at least possess a vague sense that you have encountered it before. At one point she was considered a legendary and inspirational figure from U.S. history, regarded in the same way we think of Betsy Ross, Paul Revere, Molly Pitcher, Nathan Hale, and others, and for…

The Spirit of Barbara Fritchie

[tomoleary]

Clyde Fitch “Girls” Broadway Show Vintage Posters, 1906

Clyde is probably not the artist but interesting images nonetheless.

[persepinesascent]

This is an amazing piece. I'm parallels could be drawn to the treatment of people in mental hospitals and similar institutions generally.

[travsd]

The Once and Future Clyde Fitch

The Once and Future Clyde Fitch

Broadway Playwright Clyde Fitch (1865-1909) was born on this day.

Much like his contemporary Oscar Wilde, with whom he is said to have had an affair, Fitch established a reputation as a dandy and personality while still in college. An Elmira, New York native, Fitch had gone to Amherst, where he was highly regarded for his acting in amateur theatricals. Fitch’s devotion to dandyism manifested…

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[detroitlib]

Clyde Fitch (May 2, 1865 – September 4, 1909)

American dramatist, the most popular writer for the Broadway stage of his time (c. 1890–1909). (Wikipedia)

From our stacks: 1.-2. Frontispiece “Miss Julia Marlowe as “Barbara Frietchie From a Pastel by Everett Shinn.” and illustration “To Clyde Fitch Julia Marlowe 1900 - your grateful “Barbara” Photo by Byron” from Barbara Frietchie. The Frederick Girl. A Play in Four Acts By Clyde Fitch. New York City: Life Publishing Company, 1900.  3. Frontispiece “Clyde Fitch In His Study, East Fortieth Street, New York City. Photo by Byron N.Y.” from Plays by Clyde Fitch in Four Volumes. Volume Three. Edited by Montrose J. Moses and Virginia Gerson. Memorial Edition. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1920.  4. Frontispiece “Clyde Fitch From the Portrait by William M. Chase at Amherst College” from Plays by Clyde Fitch in Four Volumes. Volume One. Edited, with an introduction by Montrose J. Moses and Virginia Gerson. Memorial Edition. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1920.