A tireless worker and devoted to his calling, William H. Crane is
without doubt one of the foremost comedians of the day. Mr. Crane
was born in Leicester, Massachusetts, April 30, 1845. At the age of
eighteen he made his professional début at Utica, New York. His first
permanent engagement was with the Harriet Holman’s opera company, with
which organization he remained for seven years. His first part, with
this company, was that of the Orator, in The Child of the Regiment;
later he filled the rôles of Beppo, in Fra Diavolo; Mephisto, in
Faust; Hugh Challoner, in Ours; Dr. Dalcomora, in The Elixir of Love.
Leaving the Holmans, he joined the Alice Oates opera company, becoming
its leading comedian. Later, after creating the part of Le Blanc, in
Evangeline, he, in 1874, became a member of the stock company playing
at Hooley’s theater, Chicago. His first appearance in New York city was
at Niblo’s theater, in 1876, and it was in the same year that at the
Park Theater, he won distinct recognition as a comedian of exceptional
talent by his impersonation of Dick Swiveler to The Marchioness.
During this time an acquaintance with Stuart Robson resulted in the
two actors collaborating in Our Boarding House, which was given its
initial presentation at the Park theater, New York city, October 11,
1877. This engagement being ended, they formed a partnership that
lasted for twelve years. Since 1899 he has appeared in star rôles in
The Senator, On Probation, For Money, Brother John, A Fool of Fortune,
A Virginia Courtship, and other plays. Mr. Crane has accumulated a
comfortable fortune, and in the intervals of his professional labor
enjoys a pleasant home life with his wife and children at Cohasset,
Massachusetts.