University of Arizona

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Charles Walter Couldock Scrapbook

1815 to 1898
MS 031
Collection Guide

Charles Walter Couldock (1815-1898) was an American actor. Couldock was born in Long Acre, England and made his stage debut in Shakespeare’s Othello at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre in 1835. Actress Charlotte Cushman convinced Couldock to travel to the United States in 1849, where he made a successful American debut in The Stranger.

The collection includes a scrapbook containing mostly photoengraved portraits; some original engravings are also present. Also included are press reviews which describe plays in New Orleans and San Francisco in which Couldock and his daughter, Eliza Couldock, performed. Additional material includes two letters: one letter from 1862 refers to the London appearance of E.A. Sothern as Lord Dundreary, and the other letter from 1871 was written to Couldock from the actress Charlotte Cushman. The portraits cover a broad spectrum of famous people, particularly rulers, statesmen, military leaders, the nobility, and authors. Others included are actors and actresses, musicians, scientists, artists, and explorers.

 

Included materials:
Photographs
Manuscript
Collection Area:
Political Affairs

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.