WILLIAM DUNLAP, rightly called the father of the American stage, was
born in Perth Amboy, N. J., February 19, 1766, and died in New York,
September 28, 1839. He came to New York in 1777 and commenced the
study of painting, for which he had an early inclination. In 1784 he
went to London, where for three years he worked under Benjamin West.
On his return he became interested in the drama, and wrote his first
play. He soon after became closely identified with the theatre, and
appeared on the stage. In 1796 he became manager of the John Street
Theatre, and, soon after, sole manager of the New Park Theatre. In
1805 he retired from the management a bankrupt, and devoted himself
to his original profession of painting. In 1814 he received the
appointment of Assistant Paymaster General of the New York State
Militia. In 1817 he again took up the brush, and exhibited some of
his large paintings in most of the cities of the United States. He
was founder and vice-president of the National Academy of Design. He
wrote _The Life of George Frederick Cooke_ and _A History of the Rise
and Progress of the Arts of Design in America_--a most valuable work.
He also wrote a number of other works on different subjects.
THE FATHER; OR, AMERICAN SHANDYISM. A Comedy in Five Acts, as
performed at the New York Theatre by the old American Company,
September 7, 1789. Written by a citizen of New York. New York,
1789. 8vo, pp. 68.
Dunlap's first published play.
Reprinted by the Dunlap Society, 1887.
DARBY'S RETURN. A Comic Sketch, as performed at the New York
Theatre, November 24, 1789, for the Benefit of Mr. Wignell. New
York: Printed by Hodge, Allen, and Campbell, and sold at their
respective Bookstores, and by Berry and Rogers, 1789. 8vo, pp.
16.
Sequel to _The Poor Soldier_.
Another Edition. New York, 1806. 12mo.
Also reprinted in the Appendix to _Washington and the Theatre_, by
Paul L. Ford, New York, 1899.
THE ARCHERS; OR, MOUNTAINEERS OF SWITZERLAND. An Opera in Three
Acts, as performed by the Old American Co. in New York. New
York, 1796. 8vo, pp. 94.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, April 18, 1796.
TELL THE TRUTH AND SHAME THE DEVIL! A Farce. New York, 1797. 12mo,
pp. 44.
Played at the John Street Theatre, January 9, 1797.
THE KNIGHT'S ADVENTURE. A Comedy. New York, 1797. 12mo.
A play was announced to be played at the John Street Theatre, in
1797, under the title of _The Man of Fortitude; or, the Knight's
Adventure_, by Jno. Hodgkinson [q. v.], and Dunlap asserts that it
was taken bodily from his play while the MS. was in Hodgkinson's
hands.
ANDRE. A Tragedy in Five Acts, as performed by the Old American Co.,
New York, March 30, 1798. To which are added authentic documents
respecting Major Andre; Consisting of letters to Miss Seward,
the Cow Chase, Proceedings of the Court Martial, etc. Copyright
secured. New York: Printed by T. & J. Swords, No. 89 Pearl
Street, 1798. Sm. 8vo, pp. viii.-139.
Another edition. 8vo, London, 1799.
Reprinted by the Dunlap Society.
First produced at the New Park Theatre, New York, March 30, 1798.
THE STRANGER. A Tragedy. New York, 1798. 12mo.
Adapted from the German of Kotzebue.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, December 10, 1798.
Probably this is a reprint of the English translation.
FALSE SHAME; OR, THE AMERICAN ORPHAN IN GERMANY. A Comedy, from the
German of A. Von Kotzebue. New York, 1800. 12mo, pp. 76.
Another edition. 12mo, pp. 76. Charleston, 1800.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, December 11, 1799.
VIRGIN OF THE SUN. A Drama, from the German of A. Von Kotzebue. New
York, 1800. Frontispiece. 12mo.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, March 12, 1800.
THE WILD GOOSE CHASE. A Play in Four Acts, with songs. New York,
1800. Frontispiece. 12mo.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, January 24, 1800.
PIZARRO IN PERU; OR, THE DEATH OF ROLLO. A Play in Five Acts, from
the German of Aug. Von Kotzebue. New York, 1800. Frontispiece.
8vo.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, March 26, 1800.
ABAELLINO, THE GREAT BANDIT. A Grand Dramatic Romance, in Five Acts.
Translated from the German. Boston and New York, 1802. 12mo.
Another edition. New York, 1803.
Same, N. Y., 1807, pp. 63.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, February 11, 1801.
THE GLORY OF COLUMBIA, HER YEOMANRY. A Comedy. New York, 1803. 12mo,
pp. 12.
Another edition. New York, 1817. 18mo, pp. 56.
This is the play of _Andre_ entirely rewritten.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, July 4, 1803.
RIBBEMONT; OR, THE FEUDAL BARON. A Tragedy. New York, 1803. 18mo,
pp. 72.
Played at the John Street Theatre, New York, October 31, 1776,
under the title of _The Mysterious Monk_.
BLUE BEARD; OR, FEMALE CURIOSITY. A Dramatic Romance in Three Acts.
New York, 1803. 18mo, pp. 48.
Another edition. New York, 1806. 16mo.
THE VOICE OF NATURE. A Drama in Three Acts, as performed at the New
York Theatre. New York, 1803. 18mo, pp. 41.
From the French play, _Le Jugement de Saloman_.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, February 4, 1803.