Sir Arthur Wing Pinero papers
Biographical / Historical note
Sir Arthur Wing Pinero (1855-1934) was the son of a London solicitor, and received his early training in his father's office. He left the law office in 1874 to work as a character actor of R.H. Wyndham of the Edinburgh Stock Company, and made his first appearance at the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh. He was next employed at the Alexandra Theatre, Liverpool under the management of Edward Saker in 1875. He moved to the Lyceum company in London in 1876, and the Haymarket in 1881, where he was employed by the Bancrofts. He ceased acting in 1884. His playwrighting career began in 1877, his first efforts being one act curtain-raisers and farces. In 1889 the tone of his plays became more serious. With "The Profligate" he began the vogue for "problem plays." The best known and most successful of these was "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" (1893). After 1914, Pinero was eclipsed by changing social conditions and newer playwrights, although he continued to have plays produced until 1932. Altogether, he wrote fifty-four plays.
Scope and Contents
The collection consists mainly of correspondence between Sir Arthur Wing and Lady Pinero with members of the English and American theatre. Of interest is a group of letters written in 1875 by Pinero to his friend Tom Tomlin while Pinero was a young actor in Liverpool and other provincial theatres.
Creator
- Pinero, Arthur Wing, 1855-1934 (Person)
Dates
- Creation: 1875-1935
Language of Materials
English
Extent
2 box(es)
Access
The Sir Arthur Wing Pinero 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.
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Various gifts and purchases, 1946 to present.
Preferred Citation
[Item title, item date], Sir Arthur Wing Pinero Papers, D.5, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Genre / Form
Geographic
Occupation
Topical
Subject
- Pinero, Arthur Wing, 1855-1934 (Person)
- Title
- Sir Arthur Wing Pinero papers
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
- Date
- undated
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Library Details
Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library
