Chasing History with Ms. Laura Keene

Ms. Laura Keene from Our American Cousin
Ms. Laura Keene
 

My American Cousin

Laura Keene was one of the most famous actors and stage managers of her time. She performed all over the world: in London, New York, California, and Australia. She achieved great financial success by starting her own theater in New York City. On October 15, 1858, My American Cousin debuted in Keene’s theater. Keene had purchased the rights to the play, which was originally written by British playwright Tom Taylor. The story was a comedy about an American who must visit his English relatives to claim his inheritance. My American Cousin proved very popular - it was only scheduled to play for two weeks but instead, ran for 150 straight days.

Making History with a Dying President

Laura Keene, however, is best known for the events that occurred at Ford Theater’s on the night of April 14, 1865, during the showing of My American Cousin in Washington, D.C. At 10:13 P.M., John Wilkes Booth shot President Lincoln, who had come to watch the play with his wife in celebration of the Union victory over the Confederate States of America in the American Civil War. Amidst the chaotic scene, Keene made her way through a labyrinth of passageways to the presidential box. She carried a pitcher of water, which served as her ticket inside. Sensing history was being made, Keene begged Dr. Charles Leale, who was attending to Lincoln, if she could see the dying president. Amazingly, Leale agreed. Keene proceeded to create a scene only an actor could imagine. Carefully, she cradled the president’s head in her lap for several minutes. Keene’s theatrics served no medical purpose whatsoever and ultimately served as a bizarre side note to one of the most tragic episodes in American history to that point. Keene cherished the colorful floral dress she wore that night, because the cuff bore bloodstains from the dying president. Over time, the dress was lost, but the cuff still exists today – complete with Lincoln’s blood. It was donated to the National Museum of American History.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why was My American Cousin such a popular play in Laura Keene’s theater?
  2. What made the night of April 14, 1865, so historic?
  3. Why do you think Laura Keene wanted to be near President Lincoln after he was shot?
  4. Do you think Keene’s actions were respectful or more for attention? Explain your view.

Laura Keene and "My American Cousin"

Laura Keene was one of the most famous actresses and theater managers of her time. She performed in many places, including London, New York, California, and Australia. She became very successful by opening her own theater in New York City. On October 15, 1858, the play My American Cousin opened at her theater. It was a comedy about an American visiting his rich family in England to claim his inheritance. Though it was only supposed to run for two weeks, it became very popular and played for 150 days in a row.

A Tragic Night at Ford’s Theater

Laura Keene is most remembered for what happened on April 14, 1865, at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. That night, President Abraham Lincoln came to see My American Cousin to celebrate the Union victory in the Civil War. At 10:13 P.M., John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln in his theater box. In the chaos that followed, Keene made her way through secret passages to reach the President’s box. She carried a pitcher of water to help her get inside.

Cradling the President

Once there, Keene asked Dr. Charles Leale, who was helping Lincoln, if she could see him. He agreed, and Keene carefully held the President’s head in her lap. Though this did not help Lincoln medically, Keene believed it was a powerful moment. Her dramatic actions became a strange part of this sad event in U.S. history.

A Piece of History

Keene kept the dress she wore that night, which had the President’s blood on the sleeve. The dress itself is lost, but the sleeve still exists today and is kept at the National Museum of American History.
Laura Keene