Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880

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Adelaide Neilson was an English Shakespearean actress.

From the description of Miscellaneous manuscripts, n.d. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155886279

Adelaide Neilson, on of the most popular and successful 19th century actresses was born in or near Leeds, Yorkshire, England.

She was born out of wedlock and never knew her father. Her mother married a Mr. Bland and the family settled in Guiseley. The young Lizzie Ann (Miss Neilson's real name) worked in a mill and then as a nurse girl. She was probably seventeen when she made her way to London where she subsequently began her acting career. Her first appearance was in 1865 at the Margate Theatre. From 1870 on "she was a reigning actress of the English stage" and was popular in America as well. She is best remembered for her portrayal of Juliet in Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET. She married Philip Henry Lee in 1864. This ended in divorce. She died quite suddenly in Paris in 1880.

From the description of Adelaide Neilson papers, 1870-1911. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122378750

Adelaide Neilson, one of the most popular and successful nineteenth century actresses, was born in 1848 in or near Leeds, Yorkshire, England. She was born out of wedlock and never knew her father. Her mother married a Mr. Bland and the family settled in Guiseley. The young Lizzie Ann (Miss Neilson's real name) worked in a mill and then as a nurse girl. She was about seventeen when she made her way to London where she subsequently began her acting career. Her first appearance was in 1865 at the Margate Theatre. From 1870 until her death in 1880 "she was a reigning actress of the English stage" and was popular in America as well. She is best remembered for her portrayal of Juliet.

Her marriage to Philip Henry Lee in 1864 ended in divorce. She died quite suddenly in 1880.

From the guide to the Adelaide Neilson papers, 1870-1911, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880,. Telegram from Adelaide Neilson, New York, to Elizabeth Campbell Winter, New York [manuscript], 1880 July 26. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Stone, Charles John, 1837-1886,. Autograph letters signed from Charles J[ohn] Stone, London, to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], 1869-1870. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Calvert, Charles, 1828-1879,. Autograph letter signed from Charles Calvert to Philip Henry Lee [manuscript], 1870 January 22. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Collins, Wilkie, 1824-1889. Autograph letter signed : London, to Charles Ward, [1870] Sept. 28. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Black, William, 1841-1898,. Autograph letters signed from William Black, London, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], [1868?]. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880,. Theatrical scrapbook of Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1867-1875. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Hill, Frank Alpine, 1841-1901,. Autograph letter signed from Frank Alpine Hill, Boston, Massachusetts, to [Lilian Adelaide] Neilson [manuscript], 1873 February 15. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Randolph Somerville collection of autographed photographs, circa 1880s-1940 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Forbes-Robertson, John, 1822-1903,. Autograph letter signed from John Forbes-Robertson to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], 1870 May 29. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Frank E. Johnson diary, 1878-1880 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Portraits of Theatrical Personalities Collected by F. E. Faragoh [graphic], 18---19-- Bancroft Library
creatorOf Lang, Theodore F. Autograph letter signed from Theodore F. Lang, Baltimore, Maryland, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1875 January 29. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Pearce, Samuel, fl. 1868,. Autograph letter signed from Samuel Pearce, Liverpool, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1868 December 8. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Morriss, T. B., fl. 1875,. Autograph letter signed from [T.?] B. Morriss, Toronto, Canada, to [Lilian Adelaide] Neilson [manuscript], 1875 March 24. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880. Miscellaneous manuscripts, n.d. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Photographs of theatrical performers, 1862-1982. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Caithness, Marie Sinclair, Countess of, d. 1895,. Autograph letter signed from Marie Sinclair, Countess of Caithness, London, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], ca. 1875. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Garrett, T. Ellwood (Thomas Ellwood), 1828-1905,. Autograph letter signed from Thomas Ellwood Garrett, St. Louis, Missouri, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1873 March 19. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Ford, John Thompson, 1829-1894,. Autograph letter signed from John Thompson Ford, Ford's [Theatre], Baltimore, to [Lilian Adelaide] Neilson [manuscript], 1875 May 12. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Rogers Memorial Collection: Photographs, prints, and drawings, ca. 1600-1936 (bulk: 1861-1936) Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Wehli, James M., 19th cent. Autograph letter signed from James M. Wehli, Ealing, to P[hilip] H[enry] Lee [manuscript], [1869?] March 9. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Davenport, Fanny, 1850-1898,. Autograph letters signed from Fanny Davenport to various recipients [manuscript], [1877]-1898. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Hardy, Duffus, Lady, 1825?-1891,. Autograph letters signed from Lady Duffus Hardy to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], ca.1870. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880,. Autograph letters signed from Lilian Adelaide Lee-Neilson to Augustin Daly [manuscript], [1875?-1879]. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880. Quotation from Twelfth night signed by Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1877 September 28. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Boyleson, Mame N., b. ca. 1854,. Autograph letter signed from Mame N. Boyleson, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to [Lilian Adelaide] Neilson [manuscript], 1873 May 18. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Julian Dana Photograph and Portrait Collection, 1885-1933 Bancroft Library
creatorOf Hamilton, Archibald Rowan, 1818-1860,. Autograph letter signed from A. Hamilton, Killyleagh Castle, co. Down, Ireland, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1869? Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Leggat, Andrew W., fl. 1874,. Autograph letter signed from Andrew (?) W. Leggat, New York, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1874 May 9. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Nightingale, J. H. (Joseph Henry),. Autograph letter signed from J[oseph] H[enry] Nightingale, Liverpool, to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], 1869 April 22. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Kendal, Madge, 1849-1935,. Autograph letter fragment from [Dame Madge Kendal] to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], [19th century]. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Hill, Barton,. Autograph letter signed from Barton Hill, Morton House, Union Square, New York, to William Winter, Esq. [manuscript], 1884 February 6. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Yardley, A. Clara, fl. 1870,. Autograph letter signed from A. Clara Yardley to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1870 January 19. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880,. Autograph letter signed from Lilian Adelaide Neilson to William Winter [manuscript], 1875 Friday afternoon. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Phillips, Watts, 1825-1874,. Autograph letter signed from Watts Phillips to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], [1866?]. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Newcastle, Henry Pelham Alexander Pelham-Clinton, Duke of, 1834-1879,. Autograph letter signed from Henry Pelham Alexander Pelham-Clinton, Duke of Newcastle, London, to [Lilian Adelaide] Neilson [manuscript], 1869 May 1. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Aldrich, Thomas Bailey, 1836-1907,. Autograph letter signed from Thomas Bailey Aldrich to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1873 February 14. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf De Montgomery, Vernon,. Autograph letter signed from Vernon De Montgomery to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1869 March 18. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Marston, Westland, 1819-1890,. Autograph letters signed and unsigned from Westland Marston, London, to [Lilian Adelaide] Neilson [manuscript], 1868-1869. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Letters to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1761-1904 (inclusive), 1820-1888 (bulk) Houghton Library
referencedIn Cartes-de-visite album and biographies, ca. 1875-1876. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880,. Autograph letter signed from Adelaide Neilson, New York, to Mr. Winter [manuscript], 19th century Thursday night. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880,. Autograph letter signed from Lilian Adelaide Neilson, Douglas, Isle of Man, to Mr. Martin [manuscript], 19th century August 12. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Léon, Anna, fl. 1882,. Autograph letter signed from Anna L. Graindorge, London, to William Winter [manuscript], 1882 February 5. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Miller, Joseph W., 1838-1925,. Autograph letter signed from Joseph W. Miller, Cincinnati, Ohio, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1875 June 11. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880,. Autograph letter signed from Lilian Adelaide Neilson, New York, to Mr. Winter [manuscript], 19th century Sunday night. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Ellenborough, Edward Law, Earl of, 1790-1871,. Autograph letters signed from Edward Law, Earl of Ellenborough, London and Cheltenham, to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson], 1868-1870. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf O'Shaughnessy, Arthur William Edgar, 1844-1881,. Autograph letter signed from Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], 1872 September 27. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880,. Autograph letter signed from Adelaide Neilson, Clarendon Hotel, to Mr. Edwards [manuscript], 1880 May 17. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Jewell, Jennie V., fl. 1874,. Autograph letter signed from Jennie V. Jewell, Washington, D.C., to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1874 November 13. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Gilbert, Charlotte A., fl. 1873,. Autograph letter signed from Charlotte A. Gilbert, St. Augustine, to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], [1873?] Sunday. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Jeune, Francis Henry, Sir, 1843-1905,. Autograph letters signed from Baron Francis Henry Jeune St. Helier, London, to various recipients [manuscript], [1869?]-1870. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Taylor, Tom, 1817-1880,. Autograph letters signed from Tom Taylor, London, to [Lilian Adelaide] Neilson [manuscript], ca. 1869 August 7 and October 27. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880. Adelaide Neilson papers, 1870-1911. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Goodrich-Blanding Family Photographs [graphic], ca. 1874-ca. 1920 Bancroft Library
creatorOf Forbes-Robertson, Frances, 1826 or 7-1902,. Autograph letter signed from Frances (Cott) Forbes-Robertson, London, to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], 1869 November 21. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Shannon, Elizabeth Peyton, fl. 1874,. Autograph letter signed from Elizabeth Peyton Shannon to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1874 November 14. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Allix, Helen E., fl. 1869,. Autograph letter signed from Helen Allix, Grantham, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1869 November 10. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Paul, Howard, 1835-1905,. Autograph letter signed from Howard Paul, St. John's Wood, London, to [Lilian Adelaide] Neilson [manuscript], [19th century]. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn W. S. (William Schwenck) Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan additional printed ephemera, 1815-2008. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn [Ross Collection of Theater Portraits] [graphic], [19--?] Bancroft Library
creatorOf Sprague, Kate Chase, 1840-1899,. Autograph letter signed from Kate Chase Sprague to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], [1872?]. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Goldberg, Harry, Mrs.,. Mrs. Harry Goldberg collection of 19th century American stage portraits, 1880-1894 and undated. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Hollingshead, John,. Autograph letter signed from John Hollingshead, Gaiety Theatre, Strand, London, to [Lilian Adelaide] Neilson [manuscript], 1870 February 1. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Ralston,. Autograph letter signed from -- Ralston to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], 1874 March 27. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Boucicault, Dion, 1820-1890,. Autograph letter signed from [Dion? Boucicault], New York, to Miss [Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], 1872 November 25. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Leighton, B., fl. 1867,. Autograph letter signed from B. Leighton to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1867 June 24. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Doran, Dr. (John), 1807-1878,. Autograph letter and letter fragment signed from Dr. John Doran, London, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1870-1871. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Adelaide Neilson papers, 1870-1911 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Watson, William Argyle, 1826 or 7-1901,. Autograph letters signed from William Argyle Watson, New York, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], 1872-1873. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Knight, Joseph, 1829-1907,. Autograph letter and letter fragment signed from Joseph Knight, London, to [Lilian Adelaide Neilson] [manuscript], 1867 November 17. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Johnson, Frank E. Frank E. Johnson diary, 1878-1880. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Ernst, Harold C. (Harold Clarence), 1856-1922,. Autograph letter signed from Harold C. Ernst, Cambridge, to Lilian Adelaide Neilson [manuscript], [1873?] Wednesday. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf Neilson, Adelaide, 1848-1880. Autograph, 1878. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Aldrich, Thomas Bailey, 1836-1907, person
correspondedWith Allix, Helen E., fl. 1869, person
associatedWith Anne Bland person
correspondedWith Black, William, 1841-1898, person
associatedWith Bland, Anne person
associatedWith Bland, Anne. person
associatedWith Bland, Charles R person
associatedWith Bland, Charles R. person
correspondedWith Boucicault, Dion, 1820-1890, person
correspondedWith Boyleson, Mame N., b. ca. 1854, person
correspondedWith Caithness, Marie Sinclair, Countess of, d. 1895, person
associatedWith Calvert, Charles, 1828-1879, person
associatedWith Collins, Wilkie, 1824-1889. person
correspondedWith Daly, Augustin, 1838-1899 person
associatedWith Dana, Julian, 1907- person
associatedWith Davenport, Fanny, 1850-1898, person
correspondedWith De Montgomery, Vernon, person
correspondedWith Doran, Dr. (John), 1807-1878, person
correspondedWith Edwards, Mr., fl. 1880 person
correspondedWith Ellenborough, Edward Law, Earl of, 1790-1871, person
correspondedWith Ernst, Harold C. (Harold Clarence), 1856-1922, person
associatedWith Faragoh, Francis Edwards person
associatedWith Floyd, William Rudolph, 1832-1880 person
correspondedWith Forbes-Robertson, Frances, 1826 or 7-1902, person
correspondedWith Forbes-Robertson, John, 1822-1903, person
correspondedWith Ford, John Thompson, 1829-1894, person
correspondedWith Garrett, T. Ellwood (Thomas Ellwood), 1828-1905, person
correspondedWith Gilbert, Charlotte A., fl. 1873, person
associatedWith Goldberg, Harry, Mrs., person
associatedWith Griffiths, Frank Carlos. person
correspondedWith Hamilton, Archibald Rowan, 1818-1860, person
correspondedWith Hardy, Duffus, Lady, 1825?-1891, person
associatedWith Hill, Barton, person
correspondedWith Hill, Frank Alpine, 1841-1901, person
correspondedWith Hollingshead, John, person
correspondedWith Jeune, Francis Henry, Sir, 1843-1905, person
correspondedWith Jewell, Jennie V., fl. 1874, person
associatedWith Johnson, F. E. (Frank Ernest) person
associatedWith Johnson, Frank E. person
correspondedWith Kendal, Madge, 1849-1935, person
correspondedWith Knight, Joseph, 1829-1907, person
correspondedWith Lang, Theodore F. person
correspondedWith Lee, Philip Henry, b. 1838 or 9 person
correspondedWith Leggat, Andrew W., fl. 1874, person
correspondedWith Leighton, B., fl. 1867, person
associatedWith Léon, Anna, fl. 1882, person
correspondedWith Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 1807-1882 person
correspondedWith Marston, Westland, 1819-1890, person
correspondedWith Martin, Mr., 19th cent. person
correspondedWith Miller, Joseph W., 1838-1925, person
correspondedWith Morriss, T. B., fl. 1875, person
correspondedWith Newcastle, Henry Pelham Alexander Pelham-Clinton, Duke of, 1834-1879, person
correspondedWith Nightingale, J. H. (Joseph Henry), person
correspondedWith O'Shaughnessy, Arthur William Edgar, 1844-1881, person
correspondedWith Paul, Howard, 1835-1905, person
correspondedWith Pearce, Samuel, fl. 1868, person
correspondedWith Phillips, Watts, 1825-1874, person
correspondedWith Ralston, person
associatedWith Rogers, Henry Munroe, 1839-1937 person
associatedWith Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. person
correspondedWith Shannon, Elizabeth Peyton, fl. 1874, person
associatedWith Somerville, Randolph person
correspondedWith Sprague, Kate Chase, 1840-1899, person
correspondedWith Stone, Charles John, 1837-1886, person
correspondedWith Taylor, Tom, 1817-1880, person
correspondedWith Watson, William Argyle, 1826 or 7-1901, person
associatedWith Wehli, James M., 19th cent. person
associatedWith William Carr Glynn person
correspondedWith Winter, Elizabeth C. (Elizabeth Campbell), 1841-1922 person
correspondedWith Winter, William, 1836-1917 person
correspondedWith Yardley, A. Clara, fl. 1870, person
associatedWith Young, Robert, 1927-2008, person
Place Name Admin Code Country
England
Subject
Theater
Juliet (Fictitious character)
Theater 19th century
Occupation
Compilers
Activity

Person

Birth 1848-03-03

Death 1880-08-15

Information

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Ark ID: w6cg004v

SNAC ID: 67148821