Article on James W. Lingard

Biographical Sketch of James W. Lingard.  He was born in London on January 8th, 1823.  He arrived in the United States, in New York, in the fall of 1848 and became a naturalized citizen the next year.  Worked in various cities as a manager, stage manager and actor.  Achieved fame in New York in the role of Uncle Tom, “which he took at an hour’s notice and performed for one entire season. . . . In the fall of 1858, in conjunction with G.L. Fox, Mr. Lingard became Manager of the Old Bowery Theatre, and raised the fortunes of that establishment. . . . Messrs. L. & F. became lessees of the New Bowery Theatre, which was built expressly for them, and opened September 5th, 1859.”  Fox left after three years to become lessee of Old Bowery Theatre.