John Lawrence Toole papers This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on September 25, 2021. English. Describing Archives: A Content Standard Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester Rush Rhees Library Second Floor, Room 225 Rochester, NY 14627-0055 [email protected] URL: https://www.library.rochester.edu/spaces/rbscp John Lawrence Toole papers Table of Contents Summary Information .................................................................................................................................... 3 Biographical/Historical note .......................................................................................................................... 3 Scope and Contents note ............................................................................................................................... 4 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................ 4 Related Materials ........................................................................................................................................... 5 Controlled Access Headings .......................................................................................................................... 5 Collection Inventory ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Series I: Correspondence ............................................................................................................................. 6 Series II: Theater materials ......................................................................................................................... 6 - Page 2 - John Lawrence Toole papers Summary Information Repository: Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester Creator: Toole, John Lawrence, 1830-1906 Creator: Lowne, E. Y. (Edward Y.) Creator: Toole, Francis Title: John Lawrence Toole papers ID: D.40 Date [inclusive]: 1850-1907 Physical Description: 2 boxes Language of the English Material: Preferred Citation [Item title, item date], John Lawrence Toole Papers, D.40, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester ^ Return to Table of Contents Biographical/Historical note John Lawrence Toole, actor and theatrical manager, was born in London in 1830. His father, James Toole, was usher in the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey and toastmaster of the city of London. John L. Toole was employed as a wine merchant's clerk when he became a member of the City Histrionic Club in 1850. Encouraged by his success as an amateur, he made his professional debut in October 1852 at the Queen's Theatre, Dublin, under the management of Charles Dillon. He transferred to the Theatre Royale, Edinburgh in July 1853, where he became a popular comedy favorite. Toole played his first professional London engagement October 1854 to March 1855, but was not a great success and returned to Edinburgh until April 1856. In 1856 he was hired by Charles Dillon to play at the Lyceum Theatre, London, where he stayed until 1858. In the summer of 1857, Toole made his first provincial tour, a practice which he continued throughout his career, sometimes with his lifelong friend Henry Irving. Toole transferred in 1858 to the Adelphi Theatre, London, managed by Ben Webster, where he stayed until 1867. He then went to the Gaiety Theatre, London, but was not well received. He opened the Globe Theatre, London, under his own management for a season in 1877, and then opened the Folly Theatre in - Page 3- John Lawrence Toole papers 1879. Renaming it Toole's Theatre in 1882, he played there until almost the end of his career in 1895. He kept a small stock company and presented farcical comedies, burlesques and travesties of popular plays. Toole married Susan Kaslake, a young widow, in 1854. Their son Frank died in 1879, their daughter Florence died in 1888 and Mrs. Toole died in 1889. Toole left the stage in 1888, but upon his return in 1890 he toured Australia, where he was well received. By 1892 his health had begun to break. Toole's Theatre was demolished in 1895, after the expiration of the lease, and Toole made his last public appearance in 1896. He became a helpless invalid, living in retirement in Brighton until his death in 1906. ^ Return to Table of Contents Scope and Contents note The collection consists of correspondence, manuscript notes, manuscript parts as played by Toole, programs of amateur productions in which he appeared, broadsides and handbills, memorabilia, photographs and newspaper clippings. The letters from Toole to his brother Francis, beginning in 1852, deal with every aspect of provincial theatre life, including contracts with managers, size of audience and box office receipts, the reactions to particular pieces of business in the performance, practical jokes and personality conflicts. The shorter sequence of letters to E.Y. Lowne, who was apparently a City merchant and contemporary of Toole, deals with many of the same topics over a longer span of time. The correspondence between Toole and others includes letters addressed to E.Y. Lowne in his capacity as manager of Toole's personal affairs during his absences in Australia and during his illnesses. ^ Return to Table of Contents Administrative Information Publication Statement Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester Rush Rhees Library Second Floor, Room 225 Rochester, NY 14627-0055 [email protected] - Page 4- John Lawrence Toole papers URL: https://www.library.rochester.edu/spaces/rbscp Restrictions on Access The John Lawrence Toole Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification. Restrictions on Use In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. ^ Return to Table of Contents Related Materials Related Archival Materials note See also: John Lawrence Toole Estate Papers and Clement William Scott Papers. 1 Dictionary of National Biography 2 Hatton, Joseph. Reminiscences of J.L. Toole. ^ Return to Table of Contents Controlled Access Headings • Actors • Theater • England • Correspondence • Photographs • Toole, John Lawrence, 1830-1906 • Lowne, E. Y. (Edward Y.) • Toole, Francis - Page 5- John Lawrence Toole papers Collection Inventory Series I: Correspondence Scope and Contents Other persons represented by correspondence with J.L. Toole and E.Y. Lowne: Addison, Carlotta; Albery, James; Anderson, James Robertson; Bancroft, Marie Effie (Wilton), Lady [3]; Bancroft, Sir Squire Butterfield [6]; Bateman, Kate; Besant, Sir Walter; Blanchard Caroline C.; Bourchier, Arthur; Bramston, J.H.; Butler, H.; Cecil, Arthur; Coburn, Charles; Creswick, William; Ellis George Cressall; Farren, Ellen; Folkard, Julia B.; Grain, Richard Corney; Hare, Sir John; Hatton, Joseph; Jones, Henry Arthur; Keeley, Mrs. Mary Ann (Goward) [3]; Kendal, Dame Madge [2]; Kendal, William Hunter; Lacy, Walter; Langtry, Lillie; Lumley, Ralph Robert; Martin, Helena Saville (Faucit), Lady; Merivale, Mrs. Elizabeth (Pitman); Montgomery, Walter; Morton, John; Maddison; Murray, Henry Leigh; Naylor, Henry; Onions, H.H.; Perry, Joseph; Pinero, Sir Arthur Wing [2]; Primrose, Archibald; Philip, 5th Earl of Rosebery; Purnell, Thomas; Reeves, John Sims; Russell, Henry; Steele, John Charles; Stirling, Arthur; Tennyson, Mary [2]; Terry, Edward O'Connor [4]; Tree, Sir Herbert Beerbhom; Ward, Geneviéve; Webb, Henry; Webster, Benjamin Nottingham [3]; Wigan, Alfred Sydney; Wyndham, Sir Charles; Wyndham, Robert Henry [2] Title/Description Instances Correspondence, 1852-1907 Box 1 Folder 1-4 John Lawrence Toole to Francis F. Toole, 1852-1875 Box 1 Folder 6-15 John Lawrence Toole to Francis F. Toole, undated Box 1 Folder 16-17 John Lawrence Toole to Francis F. Toole, fragments Box 1 Folder 18 John Lawrence Toole to Francis F. Toole, bound volume Box 1 Folder 19 John Lawrence Toole to E.Y. Lowne, 1852-1893 Box 2 Folder 1-4 John Lawrence Toole to E.Y. Lowne, undated Box 2 Folder 5 Memoranda Box 2 Folder 6 Unidentified correspondent Box 2 Folder 18 ^ Return to Table of Contents Series II: Theater materials Title/Description Instances Manuscript part of Valentine in play "The two friends" Box 2 Folder 7 Manuscript part of Cyrus Bloom in play "Lonely man of the Box 2 Folder 8 ocean" Manuscript portion of play "Trying a magistrate" Box 2 Folder 9 Manuscript: Remarks before curtain at reopening of Toole's Box 2 Folder 17 Theatre, 1882 - Page 6- John Lawrence Toole papers Notes for speech at 33rd Royal General Theatrical Fund dinner Box 2 Folder 10 Programs of amateur dramatic societies, 1850-1852 Box 2 Folder 11 Posters, 1852-1861 Box 2 Folder 12 Programs, 1870-1886 Box 2 Folder 13 Menus and tickets, 1875-1890 Box 2 Folder 14 Photographs Box 2 Folder 15 Newspaper clippings Box 2 Folder 16 ^ Return to Table of Contents - Page 7-.