Augustus A. Addams

Addams, Augustus A. (d. 1851), actor. No precise records survive to show when or where this star‐crossed performer was born, although in or near Boston is generally accepted. He first called attention to himself when he played William Tell in Philadelphia in 1831, then four years later made his New York debut as Damon in Damon and Pythias, followed by his Othello. Knickerbocker Magazine stated, “This young American actor bids fair to attain distinguished rank as a native tragedian. Physically, he is liberally endowed. His frame is well‐knit, and his port commanding. His features, too, are full of expression, and susceptible, in an eminent degree, of sudden and powerful change. His voice also is deep and full. His personation of Othello was the best we have witnessed since we saw Forrest.” He also won acclaim as Lear, Shylock, Jaffier, Virginius, Hamlet, Rolla, and Macbeth. In 1835 Robert T. Conrad wrote the play The Noble Yeoman for him, but its first night was canceled when Addams was too drunk to perform, and a delayed premiere was botched because he was still inebriated. Addams's last New York performance was in 1848 as Carwin in Thérèse. Thereafter, unreliability stemming from his alcoholism hurt his career and kept him off major stages. T. Allston Brown noted, “Had he let drink alone, he would have become the greatest actor ever seen in this country.”