THEATRICAL,
LITERARY & ARTISTIC LIVES & LIES
Compiled
by Helen D. Harris OAM
This web page is a compilation of information
on theatrical, literary and artistic people I have come across over the years, and
has been put on the net to aid fellow researchers. Please note that I have no other information
regarding these people, unlike most of my other web pages, and that the sources
are all listed here. Those who wish to
know more will have to look at the original source themselves. If that is not possible, I will arrange
copying of the reference, where applicable, for a fee of Aust$30. Please note that this does not include obtaining
copies of insolvency files, which can take some considerable time to examine,
and for which I would charge according to the time involved. I can be contacted on hdh1 at ozemail.com.au (replace the ‘at’ with ‘@’ and remove the
spaces).
ABELL, Samuel Owens and KLAER,
James. Ballarat, circus proprietors,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/2074
AITCHISON, James. See ATHOLWOOD, James.
ARROWSMITH, Edward Henry. Death notice: At his residence, 50 Barkly St., Carlton, (nom de theatre Edward RYAN)
eldest son of W.A. Arrowsmith (W. Ryan) aged 35
yrs. 28 March
1893. Argus.
ATHOLWOOD, James. Actor, charged with bigamy. First
wife Ethel Ruby YELVERTON, lived with Barry MARSHALL
for 6 years and had a child Cecil to him.
Second wife Lilias Mary TOWNSEND married James
under name of AITCHISON. 20 May 1908 The
Age.
BADNALL, Charles Henry. Portland, journalist.
Insolvent.
Cause: inability to meet
liabilities and stoppage of annual income from England.
Assets £140, liabilities £251. 18 April 1881 The Age.
BENTLEY, Walter. ‘Among the passengers by the R.M.S. Oraya … a tragedian who has a notable career on the
stage … to appear at the Theatre Royal shortly … son of the late Rev. Dr. Begg of Edinburgh.
Career detailed. 8
October 1891. Argus.
BURMAN, Arthur Wellington. Nth Carlton, photographic
artist. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900.
Ref: 71/5547.
BUTLER, Herbert. Artist, 25 Miller St., West Melbourne, reports stolen from him in Bourke St. Melbourne, on 27th instant, a gold
pin, set with a large amethyst stone, figure of a woman’s head carved in stone,
slight chip off one side.
Value £5.
Victoria Police Gazette 31 January 1894 p.31.
CAMPBELL, Archibald Henry. Melbourne, journalist, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900.
Ref: C96.
CLARK, Frank.
Melbourne, theatrical agent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/216
CLARKE, George Thomas. Richmond, journalist,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900.
Ref: 71/5940
COGILL, Charles William and Harry Payot. Melbourne,
theatrical managers, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/6260
COLLEY, William. Melbourne, lithographer, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: C165
COPE, David and David Wm SOMERVILLE.
Melbourne, and Footscray, professors of music,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/339
CORK, Alfred Edward Henry. South Melbourne, theatrical
agent, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/339
COSGROVE, Mrs. Actress? Clothing stolen
from Bijou Theatre Melbourne at the same time as stolen from Hilda Fraser. Victoria Police Gazette 13 July 1898
CRAIG, Francis Marcelus, trading as F. CLARK, E. Melbourne, theatrical agent, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/216
CROSSY, Julius Augustus.
Charged on warrant with deserting his wife Louisa Anna, 80 Victoria
Terrace, Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park, on 4th instant.
Austrian, but can speak German, photographer, c60 yrs, 5’10”, medium
build, sunburnt, greyish moustache, beard and whiskers, dyed black. Is in Adelaide and said to be known to police
there. 5 July 1890.
Victoria Police Gazette.
DAMPIER, Alfred. Melbourne, theatrical manager,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900.
Ref: 90/1382.
DARBY, Edwin.
Deserted wife Charlotte in South Melbourne; she was licensee of the Stanley
Arms Hotel, he was a photographer, aged 39 years. Victoria Police Gazette 10 August 1892 p.210. (No further entry for that year.)
DEAN, George.
Fitzroy, actor, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/4972
DE BURGH, Ulrich John Rupert. St. Kilda, theatrical manager, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5123.
DE FIVAS, Sidney.
Actor, South Melbourne, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5031.
DERBY, Emilie
Melville. Melbourne, operatic artist,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/4453.
DESMOND, William A. Williamstown, photographer,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/6093.
DU CANN, Charles James. Carlton, theatrical
manager, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/4952
DUMAS, E.W.
Was a member
of the Turin-Verein, French, a cook, lately employed
at the Melbourne Club, two charges of passing valueless cheques. 28 April 1880 p.119. Victoria Police Gazette.
DUNN, Alfred.
Architect, made a secret composition with his creditors in 1892, paid 6d.
in £. See M.
Cannon, The Land Boomers.
FIELD, Adolphus Octavius. South Melbourne, journalist,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5681.
FINN, Edmund.
Hawthorn, journalist, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/561.
FRANCIS, Edward James. Melbourne, photographic enlarger, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/2177
FRANKLYN, Henry Mortimer. St. Kilda, journalist, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/4912
FRASER, Hilda.
Actress, Bijou Theatre Melbourne, clothing
stolen from dressing room. Victoria Police Gazette 13 July 1898.
FRASER, Joseph.
Hawthorn, phrenologist, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5927.
FRIEDMAN, Harry. Melbourne, theatrical manager,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/6036.
GARNER, Arthur.
Melbourne, theatrical manager, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/1692.
GILBERT, Melvin Elam. Charged with wife desertion, actor,
c32 yrs etc. 15 April 1891 p.117. Said to be in Sydney.
10 June 1891 p.172. Arrested by Melbourne police 2 December
1891 p.332. Victoria Police Gazette
GOOD, Alexander. Camberwell, photographer, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/623
GORLITZ, Hugo. Melbourne, operatic manager,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5622
GREBBIN, John A. Left
his child Marie Rose with nurse Margaret STOW at St. Kilda,
about 5 mths previously and had not paid maintenance. He was a photographer, 35 yrs. Victoria Police Gazette 31 January 1894 p.32. See also GRIBBIN.
GREEN & WOOD.
Acrobats,
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Exhibition St., Melbourne, report a large hat box (contents
itemised) stolen. 6
January 1910 p.4. Victoria Police Gazette.
GREENE, James William. Melbourne, musician, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/3712.
GRIBBIN, John A. Tried
Kyneton Petty Sessions 24 November 1893, damaging property, sentenced to 14
days. He was born in America in 1865, a photographer, 5’8”, fresh complexion, dark hair, brown eyes, had tattoos. Discharged Castlemaine gaol
week ending 28 December 1893. Victoria Police Gazette. See also GREBBIN.
GROUZELLE, Louis. Melbourne, photographic artist,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900.
Ref: 90/626.
HARRISON, Walter. Tried Melbourne General Sessions 1
February 1893, for larceny, received sentence of 4 mths.
Born England 1869,
photographer, first conviction, 5’8”, fresh complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes,
scar on left side of head, long nose. Discharged from Castlemaine gaol week ending 13 June 1893. Victoria Police Gazette.
HART, Ludovico. St. Kilda, photographer, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5407.
HARWOOD, Henry Richard. East Melbourne, actor,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/2612.
HEDLEY, Harry Wharton. Toorak, journalist, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 90/1819.
HENDERSON, Antekell
Matthew. Melbourne, architect, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. L95.
HENRY, William & Benjamin Postill. South Melbourne, printers and
journalists. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 71/5976
HEYDEBRANTZ, George. Tried Horsham Petty Sessions 25 August 1893, for false pretences,
received a sentence of 3 mths. Born Germany 1865, artist,
5’6”, olive complexion, black hair, hazel eyes. Proper name Ludwig HONIGBAUM. Discharged Ballarat gaol
week ending 13 December 1893. Victoria Police Gazette.
HIGHAM, James Andrew Bolton. Carlton, reporter,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 71/4544.
HISCOCKS, Frederick Elijah. Theatrical agent.
Insolvent, assets and liabilities given. 4 September 1881 p.2. Age.
HITCHCOCK, Norman.
Melbourne, architect, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 90/287.
HONIGBAUM, Ludwig. See HEYDEBRANTZ, George.
HUGHES, John.
East Melbourne, artist,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 90/1043
IRELAND, Frederick Ernest. St. Kilda, musician, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 71/5654
IRELAND, George Richard. South Melbourne, comedian,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 90/2663.
IRVING, Edward Hamilton. Melbourne, lecturer, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 90/101.
JAMES, Alfred.
Tried
Bendigo Petty Sessions 4 May 1894, insulting behaviour and obscene language,
sentenced to 14 days, cumulative. Born
Victoria 1873, acrobat, 5’3½”, fresh complexion, fair hair, blue eyes, stout
build, forehead broad, ears medium and projecting,
nose small and pointed, chin round, scar on palm of right hand, two previous
convictions. Discharged
Bendigo gaol week ending
30 May 1894. Victoria Police Gazette.
JOHNSON, William. Tried Melbourne Petty Sessions 18 November 1893, vagrancy, sentenced to
6 mths. Born U.S.A. 1851, vocalist, 5’7½”, coloured
man, scar on nose, curly hair, two previous
convictions. Discharged
Geelong gaol week ending
9 May 1894. Victoria Police Gazette.
JONES, James Raymond. Williamstown, architect, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 90/2645
JOUBERT, Jules.
Melbourne, theatrical proprietor, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 71/5352
KELLY, Edwin.
Fitzroy
North, actor, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref C250.
KEMBLE, Myra.
Actress. Committed to Northcote Inebriates Asylum;
husband W.H. WYTE tried to get her out, but he had signed an agreement to stay
there for six months. 2
June 1883 p.5. Age
KENNA, Richard Philip & McMAHON,
Joseph F. Melbourne, theatrical managers,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref 90/2235.
KENNEDY, Robert. East Melbourne, vocalist,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref 90/1291.
KINGSLEY, Frederick.
Tried
Melbourne Petty Sessions 30 December 1890, intent to commit a felony, sentenced
to 6 mths. Born New Zealand 1867, actor, physical description
given. First known
conviction. Discharged
from Castlemaine Gaol week ending 1 July 1891. Victoria Police Gazette.
KLAER, James.
See ABELL,
S.
KREITMEYER, Maximilian L. Melbourne, was works proprietor,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 90/3390.
LAING, David Patrick. Melbourne, journalist, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref 71/5153
LAMBLE, Thomas James. Glenferrie, professor of music,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref 90/1454
LANGHORNE, Edward Murphy. Fitzroy, reporter and commission agent,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref 71/5910.
LAWRENCE, Francis George. Northcote, journalist, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref 71/4814.
LEADER, Henry Bouoring.
Middle Park, teacher of
singing, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 71/6300.
LEE, David.
South Yarra, organist,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: C227 and 90/3007.
LEE, Samuel George. Charged on warrant with deserting his wife and
three children at Fitzroy in May 1873.
Victorian, 26yrs, 5’9 or 10”, slight build, rather fair complexion,
light brown hair, brown eyes, hair cut short, a wood turner and musician, has
been playing the cornet at Chiarini’s Circus and
formerly played at the Polytechnic and Colosseum, Melbourne. 2 July 1873 p.170. Victoria Police Gazette. (No further mention to end of year.)
LE GROS, Francis (known as Henry). Charged with wife desertion and with
stealing from the house of George CLANCY in Carlton and running off
with his wife Fanny, who was heavily pregnant. French, a cook, c35yrs etc.
Previously in NSW where he used the name M. MIRLE and
professed to be a phrenologist, mesmerist etc. Known to Sydney police.
16 March 1875.
Arrested 31 March 1875. Victoria Police Gazette.
LEOPOLD, George. Fitzroy, comedian, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref 90/3627.
LEWIS, Jessie.
See
WHITTAKER, Cora.
LITTLE, John.
Kew, architect, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref 90/1055.
LUPLAN, William T. Melbourne, lithographer, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref. 71/4509.
McDONALD, James Paterson. Information requested, theatrical agent, well known in Melbourne, lately residing in Swan St. Richmond.
May have gone to New Zealand.
18 February 1880 p.48. Victoria Police Gazette
MACK, Albert.
Tried
Melbourne Petty Sessions 24 August 1893, imposition, sentenced to 6 mths. Born New York 1855, occupation theatrical, 5’4”,
fresh complexion, brown hair and eyes, burn mark left cheek, scar
bridge of nose. No previous
convictions known. Discharged
Castlemaine gaol week ending 14 February 1894. Victoria Police Gazette.
McKINLEY, Alexander. Melbourne, publisher, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: C244.
MACULLY, Alexander. Canterbury and Queensland.
Insolvent, professor of elocution. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/3273.
MAHON, Joseph Francis. See KENNA, R.
MARKS, Sarah. Windsor, teacher of music, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/3128
MARSHALL, Barry. See ATHOLWOOD, James.
MARTIN, Edward Casteldine. Malvern, journalist, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/1120
MATHER, John.
Melbourne, artist, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/1234
MAYER, Clara Kath Merivale. Prahran, operatic artist, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/374. (Gustavus
Mayer, gentleman, also insolvent, Ref 90/375).
MEEK, James.
Hamilton, tobacconist and photographer, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/2262
MELVILLE, Emily. Melbourne, operatic artist,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/4453
MIDDLETON, Alexander Gordon. Printer, poet, journalist, until six
months ago at Shepparton News. Died 15 October 1888 at Lilydale. Detailed obituary 8
November 1888. Observer City & Suburban
Advertiser
(Fitzroy/C’wood).
MIRLE, M.
See LE GROS,
F.
MONTAGUE, Pansy. Actress,
Bijou Theatre, clothing and jewellery stolen from her dressing room. Victoria Police Gazette 13 July 1898
MOORE, James Edward. Melbourne, theatrical agent,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/6307
MORGAN, Maud.
Tried
Geelong Petty Sessions 1 October 1894, larceny, sentenced to 1 mth. Born Ireland 1856,
phrenologist, 5’4”, fair complexion and hair, grey eyes.
Three previous convictions. Discharged Geelong gaol week ending
10 November 1894. Victoria Police Gazette.
.
MOSES, Philip William. Malvern and Fitzroy, lecturer and
herbalist, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/714.
MOXON, James Richard. Carlton, musician and
labourer, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/2417.
MULLEN, George.
Melbourne, architect, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/92.
NEWMAN, Augustus E. South Melbourne, photographer,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5143.
NORMAN, Henry.
East Melbourne, actor,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5143.
OGDEN, Richard D’Orsay. Melbourne, theatrical manager,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/4813.
O’SHEA, Frederick P. Prahran, photographer, insolvent. Melbourne Court of Insolvency
Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/2268
OXBOROUGH, William Charles. Melbourne, photographer, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5796.
PAILTHORPE, Edward. Melbourne, photographer, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of Insolvency
Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5007
PARKER, Elizabeth.
Fitzroy, artist, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5092
PARRY, David.
Yarraville, newspaper proprietor, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/603
PERRATON, William. Carlton, music teacher,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5982.
POPE, Charles.
Carlton, comedian,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/1980.
POSTILL, Benjamin Clarkson &
William Henry. South Melbourne, printers and
journalists. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5976.
POTTS, Violet.
South Melbourne, music teacher,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/1817.
PRESTON, Walter. Tried Carlton Petty Sessions 9 March 1893, larceny, received a sentence
of 3 mths. Born Victoria 1848,
photographer, 5’9”, fresh complexion, black hair, blue eyes, two
previous convictions. Discharged
Melbourne gaol week ending
13 June 1893. Victoria Police Gazette.
RICHARDSON, Albert. Music teacher.
Farewell benefit. 28 February 1879 p.7.
Argus
ROBERTSON, John Steele. Melbourne, journalist, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/990.
ROBERTSON, William. South Yarra, journalist,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 71/5408.
ROBINSON, Thomas. Williamstown, showman, insolvent.
Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/3538.
ROOTS, William Henry.
Malvern, lithographer, insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/3066
ROWE, Alfred & TAYLOR, Robert. Camberwell, circus proprietors,
insolvent. 71/6263.
RYAN, Edward and W.. See ARROWSMITH, Edward H.
SALMON, Philip Melville.
South Melbourne, journalist,
insolvent. Melbourne Court of
Insolvency Index 1884-1900. Ref: 90/2264.
SAMUEL, John.
South Yarra, journalist,
insolvent. Melbourne