Whitby in Durham Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
May Irwin, 1862-1938
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
1. May Irwin, 1862-1938 Marker
A house on this site, demolished in 1971, was the childhood home of Georgina May Campbell. Under the stage name of May Irwin, she was America’s greatest vaudeville and stage comedienne from the 1880’s to the 1900’s. She is best known for an experimental film by Thomas Edison in 1896, called “The Kiss”. May Irwin was the highest paid actress in the United States in the 1890’s.
Erected by Town of Whitby.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location. 43° 52.802′ N, 78° 56.613′ W. Marker is in Whitby, Ontario, in Durham Region. Marker is on Byron Street North just south of Elm Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, overlooking the parking lot at the southeast corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Whitby ON L1N 2L9, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Carnegie Public Library, 1913 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Terrace (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Merryweather Steam Fire Engine, 1872 (about 120 meters away); Traditional Territories of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island
this page online
Also see . . .
1. May Irwin.
Her father, Robert E. Campbell, died when she was 13 years old; her stage-minded mother, Sophoria Jane Draper, in need of money, encouraged May and her older sister to perform. They created a singing act, billed as the "Irwin Sisters," that debuted at the Adelphi Theatre in nearby Buffalo, New York in December 1874. In addition to her performing and singing, Irwin also wrote the lyrics to several songs, including "Hot Tamale Alley", with music written by George M. Cohan. In 1907 she married her manager, Kurt Eisfeldt, and began making records for Berliner/Victor. Several of these recordings survive and give a notion of the actress's appeal. Irwin's buxom figure was much in vogue at the time and, combined with her charming personality, made her one of America's most beloved performers for more than thirty years.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
2. May Irwin, 1862-1938 Marker
2. The Kiss (1896 film).
The Kiss (also known as The May Irwin Kiss, The Rice-Irwin Kiss and The Widow Jones) is an 1896 film, and was one of the first films ever shown commercially to the public. Around 18 seconds long, it depicts a re-enactment of the kiss between May Irwin and John Rice from the final scene of the stage musical The Widow Jones. The film was directed by William Heise for Thomas Edison. The film was produced in April 1896 at the Edison Studios of Edison, the first film studio in the United States. At the time, Edison was working at the Black Maria studios in West Orange, New Jersey.(Submitted on March 13, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 13, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
