Tudor Hall/Junius Booth Society Newsletter

[L Verge]

I received the latest newsletter, Booth History Spotlight, from the Junius Brutus Booth Society at Tudor Hall today, and it had several very interesting articles. There are two in particular by Society historian Tom Fink that I hope to get permission from to reprint in the Surratt Courier.

The first article gives documentation to the theory that Junius Booth, Sr. and his father, Richard (who came from England to live with his son's family), supported - by providing safety and funds - the Underground Railroad. That makes sense given the men's firm belief in freedom and democracy. However, they were doing it in an area well-known for secessionist feelings. Later, it is said that Edwin Booth contributed to John Brown's failed raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859.

The second article describes Booth The Elder being asked by a gathering to recite The Lord's Prayer and reducing even the men to tears by delivering it in a magnificent, heartfelt manner.

If you wish to learn more about the Junius B. Booth Society, go to http://www.JuniusBooth.org. They are keeping alive the theater history attached to this "first family of the American theater."