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Dionysus Lardner Boursiquot, the man who would become Dion Boucicault, was born in Dublin, Ireland, most likely December 26, 1820. Many details of his youth are ambiguous, including his parentage. His mother, Anne Darley, was from a well-respected Dublin family. However, around the time of Boucicault’s birth, she was separated from her husband and living with Dionysus Lardner, a civil engineer. When Lardner was offered a position at University College, Anne followed him to London. Boucicault’s childhood seems to have been miserable; he bounced between different schools until he became an apprentice to Lardner.

In 1838, Boucicault started as an actor in Bristol, under the stage name of Lee Moreton. After some letters of introduction, he made his way to London and established a long career as a translator, adapter, playwright, actor, and manager. He was married three times: His first wife Anne Guiot died under mysterious circumstances early in their marriage. In 1852 he married Agnes Robertson, a fellow actor and eventual business partner. They had six children together. In 1885, while on tour in Australia, Boucicault married Josephine Thorndyke (even though his marriage to Agnes did not officially end until 1888). His colorful and financially tumultuous life ended in New York City in 1890, and he is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Key Dates & Events

• 1841 - London Assurance, Boucicault's first play, opens at Covent Garden
• 1852 - Boucicault developed the Corsican Trap, the first of many stage devices and practical effects for his plays
• 1856 - Boucicault advocates and helps pass the first copyright law within the United States
• 1857 - The Poor of New York premieres, well-known for the tenement fire spectacle in the final act
• 1890 - Boucicault's last play opens in New York City, closing just before his death