Charles Barnum Hanford (May 5, 1859 â€" October 16, 1926) was an
American stage actor, known as one of the most popular American
Shakespearean actors of his time. After an early career working with
leading actors such as Edwin Booth, Thomas W. Keene, and Julia
Marlowe, he established his own company and appeared often opposite
his wife, the actress Marie Drofnah.Hanford was born at Sutter Creek,
California, on May 5, 1859, son of Levi and Lucy (Barnum) Hanford. As
a youth his family moved to Loudoun County, Virginia, where he was
raised. He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1879, graduated from the D.C.
Boys High School, and for a time pursued the study of law at Columbia
College and Columbia Law School, leaving to enter show business. From
1880 to 1882 he was a clerk in the United States Geological Survey and
the United States Pension Office, and subsequently a private secretary
to Congressman H. F. Page of California.He became connected with the
company of William Stafford, then touring in Shakespearean plays, at
New London, Connecticut, in September, 1882. From 1883 to 1885 he
played with Thomas W. Keene; from 1885 to 1886 with Robson and Crane,
and from 1886 to 1887 with Edwin Booth. He played important parts with
Booth and Lawrence Barrett from 1887 to 1889; was a member of the
supporting company of Booth and Helena Modjeskain 1889-90, and with
Julia Marlowe during 1890 and until 1892. Upon the death of Barrett
and the retirement of Booth, Hanford bought their scenic equipment for
the play Julius Caesar, and starred as Mark Antony during the season
of 1892-'93.He starred in various Shakespearean and other productions
beginning 1892; was manager and sub-star with Keene from 1896 to 1898;
starred with Odette Tyler and R. D. MacLean in 1898 to 1899, and with
Louis James and Kathryn Kidder from 1899 to 1900.
American stage actor, known as one of the most popular American
Shakespearean actors of his time. After an early career working with
leading actors such as Edwin Booth, Thomas W. Keene, and Julia
Marlowe, he established his own company and appeared often opposite
his wife, the actress Marie Drofnah.Hanford was born at Sutter Creek,
California, on May 5, 1859, son of Levi and Lucy (Barnum) Hanford. As
a youth his family moved to Loudoun County, Virginia, where he was
raised. He moved to Washington, D.C., in 1879, graduated from the D.C.
Boys High School, and for a time pursued the study of law at Columbia
College and Columbia Law School, leaving to enter show business. From
1880 to 1882 he was a clerk in the United States Geological Survey and
the United States Pension Office, and subsequently a private secretary
to Congressman H. F. Page of California.He became connected with the
company of William Stafford, then touring in Shakespearean plays, at
New London, Connecticut, in September, 1882. From 1883 to 1885 he
played with Thomas W. Keene; from 1885 to 1886 with Robson and Crane,
and from 1886 to 1887 with Edwin Booth. He played important parts with
Booth and Lawrence Barrett from 1887 to 1889; was a member of the
supporting company of Booth and Helena Modjeskain 1889-90, and with
Julia Marlowe during 1890 and until 1892. Upon the death of Barrett
and the retirement of Booth, Hanford bought their scenic equipment for
the play Julius Caesar, and starred as Mark Antony during the season
of 1892-'93.He starred in various Shakespearean and other productions
beginning 1892; was manager and sub-star with Keene from 1896 to 1898;
starred with Odette Tyler and R. D. MacLean in 1898 to 1899, and with
Louis James and Kathryn Kidder from 1899 to 1900.
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