Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909

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William Clyde Fitch (1865-1909), American playwright.

From the description of Nathan Hale : an original play in four acts, [circa 1897] / by Clyde Fitch. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702202011

Dramatist.

From the description of Grace de Granmont : holograph play script, 1893. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 163614397

1886 graduate of Amherst College. American playwright best known for plays of social satire and character study and notable for having four of his plays running concurrently on Broadway. He went on to write and produce thirty-six original plays, twenty-one adaptations, and five dramatizations of novels in a twenty-year period. Born in Elmira, New York, and spent part of his childhood in Schenectady. At Amherst College, Fitch was active in dramatic productions. He died on September 4, 1909, one week after an operation for appendicitis, in Chal̂ons-sur-Marne, France.

From the description of Fitch papers, 1867-1986 (bulk 1883-1909). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 50021147

Clyde Fitch (1865-1909) was an American playwright.

From the description of Clyde Fitch papers, 1887-1904. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 86164267

From the guide to the Clyde Fitch papers, 1887-1904, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)

American playwright.

From the description of Barbara Freitchie : the Frederick girl, a comedy in four acts : autograph manuscript signed, [1899]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270479372

From the description of Papers of Clyde Fitch 1890-1908. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 32135324

W. Clyde Fitch (AC 1886) was a prolific and highly successful American playwright best known for plays of social satire and character study. Notable for having four of his plays running concurrently on Broadway, he went on to write and produce, in a twenty-year period, thirty-six original plays, twenty-one adaptations, and five dramatizations of novels. His name alone was enough to draw large audiences, and his works were produced throughout the United States and in Europe as well. He was the first American dramatist to be regularly produced abroad. The critic and scholar William Lyon Phelps wrote in 1921, "when [Fitch] began to write, American drama scarcely existed; when he died it was reality.... He did more for American drama than any other man in our history."

William Clyde Fitch was born in Elmira, New York on May 2, 1865. He spent part of his childhood in Schenectady, New York, and attended the Holderness School, Plymouth, New Hampshire, before attending Amherst College. At Amherst he was known among his classmates as "Billy" (after his given name William, which he later dropped) and was active in dramatic productions; his literary publications in college were mainly verse, including his Grove Oration speech in 1886. His first successful play, Beau Brummel (1890), was written especially for the actor Richard Mansfield. Subsequent plays of that period were largely melodramas and historical works that were less successful than his comedies of the early 1900s, including The Climbers (1901), Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines (1901), The Girl with the Green Eyes (1902), The Truth (1907) and The City (1909). However, the popularity of his works on the stage barely exceeded his own lifetime.

Fitch was an avid collector of books, antiques and art, with which he filled his home at 113 East 40th St., New York City (a residence that, for a time, was one of New York's most famous salons), as well as at his other homes at Katonah, New York; and Greenwich, Connecticut. The "Clyde Fitch Memorial Room" in Converse Hall at Amherst College was a gift to the College from Fitch's mother. It contained many of the furnishings and most of the books that were in his study in New York City.

Clyde Fitch died on September 4, 1909, one week after an operation for appendicitis in Châlons-sur-Marne, France, at age 44.

From the guide to the W. Clyde Fitch Collection, 1867-1986, 1883-1909, (Amherst College Archives and Special Collections)

Biographical Note: Clyde Fitch was an American playwright.

He was born in Elmira, New York in 1865 and graduated from Amherst College. Fitch wrote romantic historical dramas that were appealing the the public's taste for melodrama. Fitch's first play, "Beau Brummel," was performed in New York City in 1890 and was an immediate success. His later works which included Barbara Frietchie (1899)," The Climbers (1901)," and "The Girl with Green Eyes (1902)" and were among the most popular dramatic productions at the turn of the 20th century. Clyde Fitch died in 1909.

From the description of Clyde Fitch collection, 1909. (Johns Hopkins University). WorldCat record id: 48394088

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909,. Autograph letters signed from Clyde Fitch to Augustin Daly [manuscript], 1890-1897. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Rankin, Peter D.,. Rankin-Davenport family papers, [ca. 1876]-1979. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Adams, James Truslow, 1878-1949. Barrett assorted authors collection, 1814-1947 University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Wharton, Edith, 1862-1937. The House of Mirth : A Play in Four Acts, ca. 1905-1909. University of Pennsylvania Library
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Miscellaneous manuscripts, after 1885. University of Pennsylvania Library
referencedIn Louis Evan Shipman papers, ca. 1859-1933. Houghton Library
referencedIn Taylor, Newton. Newton Taylor papers, 1941-1963. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Belmont, Eleanor Robson, 1879-1979. Papers, 1851-1979. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Rankin, Peter D. Peter D. Rankin collection, ca. 1857-ca. 1959. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Baker, George Pierce, 1866-1935. Papers of George Pierce Baker, 1882-1926 (inclusive), 1890-1926 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Thomas Bird Mosher papers, 1890-1939 (inclusive) 1895-1924 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Clyde Fitch papers, 1887-1904. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
referencedIn Souvenir programs of theatrical productions, 1883-1965. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf James Carroll Beckwith papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn Richard Mansfield family papers, 1856-1940, 1905-1940 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Mansfield, Richard, 1857-1907. Richard Mansfield family papers, 1856-1940, bulk (1905-1940). New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Unger, Gladys, d. 1940. Beau Brummel. Notes. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Kauser, Alice, ca. 1872-1945. Papers of Alice Kauser, ca. 1895-1940 (inclusive). Houghton Library
referencedIn Stark, Samuel. Theatre scrapbook collection., 1860-1950 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909,. Autograph letter signed from Clyde Fitch, New York, to William Winter [manuscript], ca. 1895. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Witter Bynner papers, 1829-1965. Houghton Library
referencedIn Everett Shinn collection Archives of American Art
referencedIn Firestone, Paul A. Sublime lives: typescript, 1990. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Robinson, Corinne Roosevelt, 1861-1933. Papers, 1847-1933 Theodore Roosevelt Collection, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Fitch papers, 1867-1986 (bulk 1883-1909). Amherst College. Library
referencedIn Olive Reeves-Smith Papers, 1879-1964, 1920-1961 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion), 1854-1909. F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford papers, 1864-1967 (inclusive), 1883-1908 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Letter, n.d. University of Pennsylvania Library
referencedIn Oscar Wilde and his Literary Circle Collection: Correspondence, 1819, 1849-1957, 1962 William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA
referencedIn Mark Anthony De Wolfe Howe additional papers Houghton Library
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Papers of Clyde Fitch 1890-1908. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Bonner, Eugene MacDonald. Barbara Frietchie : opera in 3 acts & 5 scenes / music by Eugene MacDonald Bonner ; book by Clyde Fitch ; adapted by Louis Francis Brown. Library of Congress
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Letter, 1899 Mar. 1 [New York?] to [R.H.] Russell [New York]. University of Michigan
creatorOf W. Clyde Fitch Collection, 1867-1986, 1883-1909 Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
referencedIn Richard Mansfield family papers, 1856-1940, 1905-1940 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Clyde Fitch portrait, 190- New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. The masked ball / by Alexander Bisson and Albert Carre ; adapted by Clyde Fitch. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Barbara Freitchie : the Frederick girl, a comedy in four acts : autograph manuscript signed, [1899]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Frederick G. Ross Scrapbooks, 1876-1930 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn Felice and Mildred Morris Autograph Collection, 1876-1961, 1895-1915 Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special CollectionsManuscripts Division
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Clyde Fitch collection, 1909. Johns Hopkins University, Sheridan Libraries and the Milton S. Eisenhower Library
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Clyde Fitch papers, ca. 1880-1909. Bates College Library, George and Helen Ladd Library
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. The marriage game [microform] : a comedy in three acts / by Clyde Fitch. University of Missouri -- Columbia, MU Libraries; University of Missouri; MU; Ellis Library; University of Missouri Columbia
referencedIn Marchal Landgren Papers Archives of American Art
referencedIn C. A. Muller actors portraits, circa 1870-1897 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
referencedIn F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford papers, 1864-1967 (inclusive), 1883-1908 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. The stubborness of Geraldine : a play in four acts. University of Wisconsin - Madison, General Library System
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Nathan Hale : an original play in four acts, [circa 1897] / by Clyde Fitch. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Chew, Beverly, 1850-1924. Papers, 1883-1926. Grolier Club
referencedIn Howells family papers, 1850-1954 (inclusive). Houghton Library
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Captain Jinks of the Horse-Marines : an original comedy in three acts / by Clyde Fitch ; the period of the play is 1872. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Worcester Dramatic Museum. Papers, 1732-1995. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Stark, Samuel. Theatre scrapbook collection, 1860-1950. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Eleanor Robson Belmont Papers, 1851-1979. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn American Vaudeville Museum collection, 1845-2007, (bulk 1910-1940) University of Arizona Libraries, Library Special Collections
referencedIn Gerson, Virginia. Autograph letter signed : place not specified, to J.P. Morgan, 1922 Jan. 11. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Grace de Granmont : holograph play script, 1893. Library of Congress
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. The way of the world [microform] : a new and original modern play / by Clyde Fitch. University of Missouri -- Columbia, MU Libraries; University of Missouri; MU; Ellis Library; University of Missouri Columbia
referencedIn Davenport Papers, 1884-1959 Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
creatorOf Clyde Fitch papers, 1887-1904 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Fitch, Clyde, 1865-1909. Letters to Ada Rehan, 1900. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Davenport, Butler. Davenport papers, 1884-1959. Amherst College. Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Museum of Vaudeville corporateBody
associatedWith Amherst College. Class of 1886. Fitch. corporateBody
associatedWith Baker, George Pierce, 1866-1935. person
associatedWith Beckwith, J. Carroll (James Carroll), 1852-1917. person
associatedWith Belmont, Eleanor Robson, 1879-1979. person
associatedWith Bisson, Alexandre, 1848-1912. person
associatedWith Bonner, Eugene MacDonald. person
associatedWith Browning, Robert, 1812-1889 person
correspondedWith Bynner, Witter, 1881-1968 person
associatedWith Carré, Albert, 1852-1938. person
correspondedWith Chew, Beverly, 1850-1924. person
associatedWith Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion), 1854-1909. person
associatedWith Cullen, Frank, 1936- person
correspondedWith Daly, Augustin, 1838-1899 person
associatedWith Davenport, Butler person
associatedWith Davis, Richard Harding, 1864-1916 person
associatedWith Dellenbaugh, Mrs, person
associatedWith Eaton, Mr, person
associatedWith Everett Shinn person
associatedWith Field, R. M. (Richard Montgomery), 1834-1902, person
associatedWith Firestone, Paul A. person
associatedWith Fullerton, Mr, person
associatedWith Garden Theatre (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Gerson, Virginia, person
associatedWith Grant, Percy Stickney, 1860-1927. person
associatedWith Hale, Nathan, 1755-1776. person
associatedWith Harriman, Karl Edwin, 1875-1935. person
associatedWith Hooley's Theatre (Chicago, Il.) corporateBody
associatedWith Howells, William Dean, 1837-1920 person
correspondedWith Howe, M. A. De Wolfe (Mark Antony De Wolfe), 1864-1960 person
associatedWith Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute. corporateBody
associatedWith Kauser, Alice, ca. 1872-1945. person
associatedWith Knickerbocker Theatre (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Landgren, Marchal E. person
associatedWith Macmillan Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Mansfield, Richard, 1857-1907. person
associatedWith McNeilly, Donald, 1945- person
associatedWith Miller, DeWitt. person
associatedWith Morris, Felice. person
correspondedWith Mosher, Thomas Bird, 1852-1923 person
associatedWith Muller, C. A person
associatedWith Phelps, William Lyon, 1865-1943 person
associatedWith Pitou, Augustus, 1843-1915. person
associatedWith Rankin, Peter D., person
associatedWith Reeves-Smith, Olive, 1894-1972 person
associatedWith Roberts, R. A., fl. 1893, person
correspondedWith Robinson, Corinne Roosevelt, 1861-1933 person
associatedWith Ross, Frederick G., 1858-1942 person
associatedWith Russell, Mr., person
associatedWith Russell, Robert Howard. person
associatedWith Samuel Stark person
associatedWith Shinn, Everett, 1876-1953. person
associatedWith Shipman, Louis Evan, 1869-1933 person
associatedWith Singleton, Esther, d. 1930, person
associatedWith Stark, Samuel. person
associatedWith Taylor, Newton. person
associatedWith Unger, Gladys, d. 1940. person
associatedWith Wharton, Edith, 1862-1937. person
associatedWith William Andrews Clark Memorial Library corporateBody
correspondedWith Winter, William, 1836-1917 person
associatedWith Worcester Dramatic Museum. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
New York (State)--New York
United States
United States
Subject
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
Theater
American drama
American drama
American drama
Drama
Dramatists, American
Theater 19th century
Occupation
Dramatists
Dramatists, American
Activity

Person

Birth 1865-05-02

Death 1909-09-04

Americans

English

Information

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Ark ID: w64b30hc

SNAC ID: 39318258