America's Oldest · Founded 1808

Historic Photo Gallery: Beginnings to 1849

1821

A virtual unknown when he came to America in 1821, Junius Brutus Booth first appeared at the Walnut and quickly established himself as a favorite with American audiences. Booth bore a resemblance to Edmund Kean and he suffered from the comparison, often accused of simply being an imitator of Kean. He was the father of the famous acting family that included three sons, Junius Jr., Edwin, John Wilkes, and a daughter, Asia.

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