JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, born in New York City, June 9, 1791, died in
Tunis, Africa, April 9, 1852, was an actor and journalist. In early
life he removed to Easthampton, L. I., where the greater part of his
childhood was passed. He played in a number of amateur performances,
and made his debut as an actor at the Park Theatre, New York City,
February 24, 1809, as _Young Norval_. He made his literary debut by
contributing to _The Fly_, a juvenile paper published by Woodworth.
He soon after published a little paper called _The Thespian Mirror_,
which had a short existence.
After playing in a number of American cities he went to England in
1813, where his success as an actor and dramatist was very great. His
first appearance was at Drury Lane Theatre, June 4, 1813, as
_Norval_. He also started a periodical in London called the _Opera
Glass_.
He returned to America in 1832 and contributed to the _Democratic
Review_ and other periodicals. Soon afterward (1841) he was appointed
United States Consul at Tunis, where he died.
JULIA; OR, THE WANDERER. A Comedy in Five Acts, as performed at the
New York Theatre. New York, 1806. 16mo, pp. 72.
The first separate writing of Payne, written when he was fourteen
years of age.
Performed as _The Wanderer_ at the Park Theatre, New York,
February 7, 1806.
LOVER'S VOWS. A Play in Five Acts. Baltimore, 1809. 16mo, pp. 90,
[4].
BRUTUS; OR, THE FALL OF TARQUIN. An Historical Tragedy in Five Acts.
London, 1818. 8vo, pp. viii.-53.
Same. New York, 1819. 16mo, pp. 54.
Acted for the first time at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London,
December 3, 1818.
First acted in the United States at the Park Theatre, New York,
March 15, 1820.
ACCUSATION; OR, THE FAMILY OF D'ANGLADE. A Melodrama in Three Acts,
from the French, with alterations. London, 1817. 8vo, pp. 79.
Same, Boston, 1818. 18mo, pp. vii.-76.
First acted at Park Theatre, New York, May 10, 1816.
THERESE, THE ORPHAN OF GENEVA. A Drama. New York, 1821. 18mo.
First acted at the Anthony Street Theatre, New York, April 30,
1821.
ADELINE; OR, SEDUCTION. A Melodrama in Three Acts. New York, 1822.
16mo, pp. 41.
Performed for the first time in the United States, at the Park
Theatre, New York, May 1, 1822.
CLARI, THE MAID OF MILAN. An Opera in Three Acts. New York, 1823.
16mo, pp. 54.
Another edition, London, 1823. 8vo, pp. 45.
Performed for the first time at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden,
London, May 8, 1823.
In this opera _Home, Sweet Home_ was sung for the first time.
Performed for the first time in the United States at the Park
Theatre, New York, November 12, 1823.
ALI PACHA; OR, THE SIGNET RING. A Melodrama in Two Acts. New York,
1823. 18mo, pp. 36.
Performed at the Park Theatre, New York, May 8, 1823.
RICHELIEU; OR, THE BROKEN HEART. A Domestic Tragedy founded on Fact.
(As adapted for performance at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden,
London, before it was altered by order of the Lord Chamberlain,
and produced under a new name.) Now First Printed from the
Author's Manuscript. New York, 1826. 18mo, pp. 79.
THE TWO GALLEY SLAVES. A Melodrama in Two Acts. London, n. d.
[1823]. Frontispiece. 18mo, pp. 33.
First performed in the United States at the Park Theatre, New
York, October 27, 1823.
'TWAS I; OR, THE TRUTH A LIE. A Farce in Two Acts. London, n. d.
8vo, pp. 15.
Same, New York, 1827.
Another edition, New York, 1828. 18mo.
First performed in the United States at the Park Theatre, New
York, May 20, 1826.
CHARLES THE SECOND; OR, THE MERRY MONARCH. A Comedy. [London, n. d.]
18mo, pp. 45.
Another edition, Philadelphia, 1829.
First performed in the United States at the Park Theatre, New
York, October 25, 1824.
LOVE IN HUMBLE LIFE. A Petit Comedy. London, n. d. 18mo, pp. 31.
THE LANCERS. A Farce. London, n. d. 18mo, pp. 27.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, 1829.
THE FALL OF ALGIERS. A Drama. London, n. d. 18mo, pp. 47.
MRS. SMITH; OR, THE WIFE AND THE WIDOW. A Farce, adapted from the
French. London, n. d. 8vo, pp. 20.
Played at the New Park Theatre, New York, March 6, 1825.
PETER SMINK; OR, THE ARMISTICE. A Comic Drama, adapted from the
French. London, n. d. 8vo, pp. 16.
Played at the Park Theatre, New York, October 14, 1826, as _Peter
Smink; or, Which is the Miller?_ A Farce.