Francis Wilson

Wilson, Francis (1854–1935), comic actor. The Philadelphia‐born comedian began performing while still a youngster and spent time in minstrelsy before acting in plays. However, the pinnacle of his career came when he joined the company of the newly opened Casino Theatre in 1882, scoring his greatest success as Cadeaux in Erminie (1886). James Huneker wrote of his portrayal of the lovable rogue, “A secondary role became a stellar one, thanks to Mr. Wilson's racy interpretation . . . with a comic force undeniable . . . as full of the joy of life as Sam Weller, and of original sin as the Artful Dodger.” Wilson played the part nearly thirteen hundred times, both in the original production and in several revivals. In 1889 he formed his own production company and over the next thirteen years appeared in eleven musicals, including The Oolah (1889), The Lion Tamer (1891), Half a King (1896), The Strollers (1901), and The Toreador (1902). Except for revivals of Erminie, he then abandoned musicals. Most notable among his later successes were his Sir Guy De Vere in When Knights Were Bold (1907) and Thomas Beach in his own play, The Bachelor's Baby (1909). Besides writing other plays, Wilson was the author of numerous books on the theatre, including works on John Wilkes Booth and Joseph Jefferson. Autobiography: Francis Wilson's Life of Himself, 1924.

Francis Wilson may refer to:

• Francis H. Wilson (1844–1910), U.S. Representative from New York
• Francis Wilson (actor) (1854–1935), American actor
• Francis Wilson (meteorologist) British weather forecaster
• Francis Wilson (rugby union) (1876-?)

See also

• Frank Wilson (disambiguation)
• Frances Wilson, female U.S. marine

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