Edith Wynne Matthison

Edith Wynne Matthison (November 23, 1875 – September 23, 1955) was an Anglo-American stage actress who also appeared in two silent films.

Edith Wynne Matthison
Photograph from The Burr McIntosh Monthly, 1904
Born
Edith Wynne Matthison

(1875-11-23)November 23, 1875
Birmingham, England, UK
DiedSeptember 23, 1955(1955-09-23) (aged 79)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1896–1924
Spouse(s)Charles Rann Kennedy (1898–1950; his death)

Biography

She was born on November 23, 1875, in England, the daughter of Kate Wynne Matthison and Henry Matthison. Her aunt was Welsh singer Sarah Edith Wynne.[1]

Matthison was educated in King Edward's Grammar School and Midland Institute, England, and began at age 21 to appear in musical comedy, later joining Ben Greet's company, playing leading parts in The Three Musketeers and Money.[2] She specialized in Shakespeare and classic drama almost from the start of her career.[3] She was acting in the same play, The Merchant of Venice, with Sir Henry Irving the night he died. Irving nearly died in Matthison's arms. She appeared in Greek and mystery plays, old English comedies, and modern plays. In the United States in 1904 she appeared in Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer.[2]

Matthison married the playwright Charles Rann Kennedy in 1898, acted in many of his plays, and advised him during their development.[2][4] A happy couple who enjoyed a long marriage of 50 years, they had no children. They both taught at Bennett Junior College in Millbrook, New York.[5] At one time her niece, Gladys Edith Wynne, was married to the stage and silent film star Milton Sills. Matthison died of a stroke in Los Angeles on September 23, 1955.[6]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1915The Governor's Lady
1917National Red Cross PageantPrologue, (final film role)

References
  1. Who's who in the Theatre. Pitman. 1922. p. 1001.
  2. Reynolds, Francis J., ed. (1921). "Matthison, Edith Wynne" . Collier's New Encyclopedia. New York: P. F. Collier & Son Company.
  3. New York Times "Electra As Edith Wynne Matthison Sees Her; Famous Heroine of Classic Times and Why She Is Popular To-day". (Sunday March 13, 1910)
  4. Rines, George Edwin, ed. (1920). "Kennedy, Charles Rann" . Encyclopedia Americana.
  5. "Online Archive of California: Finding Aid for the Charles Rann Kennedy papers, 1887-1947". oac.cdlib.org. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  6. Edith Wynne Matthison page at North American Theatre Online
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