Edward Le Roy Rice
American minstrel performers and producer, writer (1871–1938)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edward LeRoy Rice (August 24, 1871 – December 1, 1938) was an American performer in and producer of minstrel shows. He was the leading authority on the history of minstrel shows.[1][2] He also bought and sold theatrical memorabilia.[3]
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Edward LeRoy Rice | |
|---|---|
Rice in 1911 | |
| Born | August 24, 1871 Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 1, 1938 (aged 67) Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Spouse | Emma Rodenberger |
| Parent | William Henry Rice (1844–1907) |
Biography
He was born in Manhattan, New York City, on August 24, 1871, as the second son of William Henry Rice (1844–1907), a minstrel performer.[4][1] He first performed on stage in Morristown, New Jersey, on July 18, 1890.[5]
He married Emma Rodenberger in Brooklyn, New York City, on November 30, 1899.
Starting in 1907, he wrote a column, "Man in the Bleachers", which ran in the New York Evening World for five weeks.
His book Monarchs of Minstrelsy was published in 1911.[5] He wrote a syndicated column for Press Publishing called "Anecdotes of Old-Time Actors, by 1913.[6]
He died on December 1, 1938, in Manhattan. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, New York. His archive is housed at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey.[3]
Quote
- "Let me begin by saying that I am not a "Monarch of Minstrelsy," not even ... I can remember, as a youngster even before my school days began, my father asking me if I wanted to be a minstrel."[5]
