James Stetson Metcalfe

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James Stetson Metcalfe
Jas. S. Metcalfe, 1915
Born(1858-06-27)June 27, 1858
Buffalo, New York
DiedMay 26, 1927(1927-05-26) (aged 68)
New York City, New York
EducationPhillips-Andover Academy
Alma materYale University
Spouses
Edith Williams
​
​
(m. 1896; died 1902)​
​
(m. 1904)​
Parent(s)James Harvey Metcalfe
Erzelia Frances Stetson
RelativesFrances Metcalfe Wolcott (sister)
AwardsLegion of Honour

James Stetson Metcalfe (June 27, 1858 – May 26, 1927) was an American drama critic who wrote for Life Magazine and The Wall Street Journal.

Early life[edit]

Metcalfe was born on June 27, 1858, in Buffalo, New York. He was a son of James Harvey Metcalfe (1822–1879) and Erzelia Frances (née Stetson) Metcalfe (1832–1913). Among his siblings were Frances Metcalfe Wolcott (an author who married U.S. Representative Lyman K. Bass and U.S. Senator Edward O. Wolcott), George Stetson Metcalfe, and Francis Tyler Metcalfe. His father came to Buffalo from Bath, New York, in 1855 and established the family fortune by founding the First National Bank of Buffalo and the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad. He was also an early park commissioner and helped implement Frederick Law Olmsted's plan for the city's park system.[1]

His paternal great-grandfather was killed in the Tory army at the Battle of Bunker Hill and his grandfather, Thomas Metcalfe, was "taken by his mother to Virginia, where later he freed his Virginia-born slaves and trekked to Central New York".[1]

He attended Phillips-Andover Academy and Yale University, where he received both his B.A. degree in 1879 and his M.A. degree in 1891.[2]

Career[edit]

The Dramatic Critics of the New York Press, March 1904

In 1883 and 1884, Metcalfe was the editor and publisher of The Modern Age and from 1885 to 1886, he was an editorial writer for The Buffalo Express. Afterwards, he was the editor of The People's Pictorial Express for one year and then the manager of the American Newspaper Publishers Association for three years. In 1889, he became the drama critic for Life, the popular weekly magazine published in New York. From 1890 to 1895, he was also the literary editor of Life and for one year, 1919, art editor. He served as the magazine's drama critic for thirty-one years until 1920, writing reviews of plays.[2] While at Life, he was known for his sharp wit and libel lawsuits from those he criticized.[3] After Life, he wrote for Judge magazine, serving as the art and dramatic editor for two years before becoming the dramatic editor of The Wall Street Journal in 1923.[2]

Metcalfe also authored several books including Mythology for Moderns (1900), The American Slave (1900), Another Three Weeks (1908), The Diary of a District Messenger (1909) and Jane Street (1921).[2] In 1903, he ran, unsuccessfully, as a Democratic candidate for the 19th District in the New York State Assembly in 1903.[4]

In 1915, he established the Metcalfe Prize at Yale for the best essay written on the theatre.[5][6] In 1919, was made a Knight of the French Legion of Honour for his work on behalf of French war orphans.[7]

Personal life[edit]

Metcalfe was twice married. His first marriage was in 1896 to Edith Williams (1865–1902), a daughter of Homer M. Williams of Batavia, New York.[8] After her death in 1902, he married actress Elizabeth Tyree (1864–1952)[9] at the Marble Collegiate Church in 1904.[10] Elizabeth was "from an old Virginia family and went on stage after several season in Washington society."[2]

Metcalfe died on May 26, 1927, at his home at 2 West 67th Street in New York City.[2] After a funeral service in Buffalo, he was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery there. His widow, who inherited his estate and was a founder of the Bedford Hills Community House,[11][12] died at their home in 1952.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Wolcott, Frances Metcalfe (1932). "Heritage of Years; Kaleidoscopic Memories". Minton, Balch and Company. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "James S. Metcalfe, Drama Critic, Dies – Former Theatrical and Art Editor of Life, 68, Was in Literary Work 40 Years – Known As a Crusader – Recently Was on Staff of Wall Street Journal – As Yale Alumnus He Founded Dramatic Prize". The New York Times. 27 May 1927. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  3. ^ Times, Special to The New York (26 January 1906). "Bill to Aid J.S. Metcalfe – Ticket Speculators Also Hit in Proposed Theatre Regulation". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Metcalfe's Assembly Fight – Democratic Nominee in the Nineteenth District Declares Himself". The New York Times. 12 October 1903. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  5. ^ Times, Special to The New York (12 May 1928). "WIN YALE PRIZE TWICE; Pair of Students Collaborate Two Years for Literary Award". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  6. ^ "James S. Metcalfe (1914) | Office of the Secretary and Vice President for University Life". secretary.yale.edu. Yale University. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  7. ^ "From France". Life. Life. 1919. p. 234. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Metcalfe – Edith Williams Metcalfe". The New York Times. 24 April 1902. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Mrs. James Metcalfe". The New York Times. 9 August 1952. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Weddings of a Day – Metcalfe – Tyree". The New York Times. 15 July 1904. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  11. ^ "Widow Gets Metcalfe Estate". The New York Times. 11 June 1927. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  12. ^ "METCALFE LEFT $205,372.; Widow Gets Bulk of Estate of Dramatic Critic of "Life."". The New York Times. 23 July 1929. Retrieved 7 October 2022.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to James S. Metcalfe.
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