Biography

Canadian-born matinée idol of the 1920's, the son of a reverend. He was a graduate of St. Andrews University and acted on stage from 1897. He moved to London in 1900 and began to make his reputation in Shakespearean roles seven years later. He was also a playwright ( "Carnival" and "The Chinese Bungalow", both of which were filmed) and theatrical manager, having formed his own company with actress-wife Nellie Hutin Britton in 1903. He first toured America between 1902 and 1903 with Lillie Langtry; subsequently toured the West Indies, Australia, South Africa, India, the Far East and Canada (in 1926-27).