Laura Keene - Definition and Overview

Laura Keene (c. 1820 - November 4, 1873) was an Anglo-American actress and manager, whose real name was Mary Moss.

She was born in England. In 1851, in London, she was playing Pauline in The Lady of Lyons. She made her first appearance in New York on September 20, 1852, on her way to Australia. She returned in 1855 and till 1863 managed Laura Keene's theatre, in which was produced, in 1858, Our American Cousin. It was her company that was playing at Ford's Theatre, Washington, on the night of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Miss Keene was a successful melodramatic actress, and an admirable manager. She died at Montclair, New Jersey.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.