Elizabeth Reese
@elizamreese.bsky.social
Public historian of grief and public memory. Writing about the grief of Edwin Booth as an evolution of American theatre and celebrity. Author of 'Marquis de Lafayette Returns: A Tour of America's National Capital Region.'
www.elizabethmreese.com
www.elizabethmreese.com
I'm ahead of schedule and on track to turn in my master's thesis at some point this weekend.
Feeling an awful lot like Victor Frankenstein right about now.
Feeling an awful lot like Victor Frankenstein right about now.
December 3, 2025 at 3:55 AM
I'm ahead of schedule and on track to turn in my master's thesis at some point this weekend.
Feeling an awful lot like Victor Frankenstein right about now.
Feeling an awful lot like Victor Frankenstein right about now.
Plus transcription is such a superpower. It is a skill that has become all the more necessary and important in the age of AI.
A few years ago, this would have sent me into a spiral. Now? I can read pages of this without thinking twice.
A few years ago, this would have sent me into a spiral. Now? I can read pages of this without thinking twice.
November 26, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Plus transcription is such a superpower. It is a skill that has become all the more necessary and important in the age of AI.
A few years ago, this would have sent me into a spiral. Now? I can read pages of this without thinking twice.
A few years ago, this would have sent me into a spiral. Now? I can read pages of this without thinking twice.
I fully understand I am in the throes of my thesis deadline BUT....Morgan Spector please answer my calls
November 25, 2025 at 12:59 AM
I fully understand I am in the throes of my thesis deadline BUT....Morgan Spector please answer my calls
October 30, 2025 at 1:42 AM
And for the record, it looks like Booth did play the aforementioned scene for a bit of a laugh:
October 27, 2025 at 1:55 AM
And for the record, it looks like Booth did play the aforementioned scene for a bit of a laugh:
But what ended up being my favorite was Clarke's FOUR PAGE DESCRIPTION of Booth's physical appearance that just starts with "Booth is handsome. He has a very shapely and interesting face."
Clarke, circa 1870: Let's just get this out of the way, the dude is good looking.
Clarke, circa 1870: Let's just get this out of the way, the dude is good looking.
October 27, 2025 at 1:46 AM
But what ended up being my favorite was Clarke's FOUR PAGE DESCRIPTION of Booth's physical appearance that just starts with "Booth is handsome. He has a very shapely and interesting face."
Clarke, circa 1870: Let's just get this out of the way, the dude is good looking.
Clarke, circa 1870: Let's just get this out of the way, the dude is good looking.
I have not been keeping up with my substack, but this changes tomorrow morning!
substack.com/@elizareese?...
substack.com/@elizareese?...
October 15, 2025 at 2:05 AM
I have not been keeping up with my substack, but this changes tomorrow morning!
substack.com/@elizareese?...
substack.com/@elizareese?...
Today was a whirlwind research day, but here are some of the highlights. Paging @linconspirators.bsky.social...
September 25, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Today was a whirlwind research day, but here are some of the highlights. Paging @linconspirators.bsky.social...
After the past week, where my thesis has sadly become more relevant than ever, the time I've spent reconnecting with the primary source material has been very much needed.
I've been thinking an awful lot about Edwin Booth these past few days. Hoping that his story is a comfort to others, too.
I've been thinking an awful lot about Edwin Booth these past few days. Hoping that his story is a comfort to others, too.
September 14, 2025 at 12:51 AM
After the past week, where my thesis has sadly become more relevant than ever, the time I've spent reconnecting with the primary source material has been very much needed.
I've been thinking an awful lot about Edwin Booth these past few days. Hoping that his story is a comfort to others, too.
I've been thinking an awful lot about Edwin Booth these past few days. Hoping that his story is a comfort to others, too.
#OTD in 1849, a fifteen-year-old Edwin Booth made his stage debut in Boston as Tressel in Richard III alongside his father, Junius Brutus Booth, in the titular role.
This daguerreotype of the father and son was taken only a few months later.
This daguerreotype of the father and son was taken only a few months later.
September 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
#OTD in 1849, a fifteen-year-old Edwin Booth made his stage debut in Boston as Tressel in Richard III alongside his father, Junius Brutus Booth, in the titular role.
This daguerreotype of the father and son was taken only a few months later.
This daguerreotype of the father and son was taken only a few months later.
Big weekend for this Edwin Booth scholar when I got to see THE crash out letter with my own two eyes.
"I must sell this house and get rid of 'Boothden' as soon as possible, in order to support my son (of a bitch) in-law who does nothing but spend money, smile, and live on his wife's father."
(1/2)
"I must sell this house and get rid of 'Boothden' as soon as possible, in order to support my son (of a bitch) in-law who does nothing but spend money, smile, and live on his wife's father."
(1/2)
September 3, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Big weekend for this Edwin Booth scholar when I got to see THE crash out letter with my own two eyes.
"I must sell this house and get rid of 'Boothden' as soon as possible, in order to support my son (of a bitch) in-law who does nothing but spend money, smile, and live on his wife's father."
(1/2)
"I must sell this house and get rid of 'Boothden' as soon as possible, in order to support my son (of a bitch) in-law who does nothing but spend money, smile, and live on his wife's father."
(1/2)
What's better than this? Guys being dudes.
All my regular coursework is officially done and it's officially thesis time.
All my regular coursework is officially done and it's officially thesis time.
August 19, 2025 at 12:39 AM
What's better than this? Guys being dudes.
All my regular coursework is officially done and it's officially thesis time.
All my regular coursework is officially done and it's officially thesis time.
As soon as I heard there was a song called "The Fate of Ophelia" on Taylor Swift's new album, I knew what I had to do.
While I don't think Edwin Booth would be a Swiftie, I think she captures the loneliness of celebrity he certainly experienced.
While I don't think Edwin Booth would be a Swiftie, I think she captures the loneliness of celebrity he certainly experienced.
August 14, 2025 at 10:10 PM
As soon as I heard there was a song called "The Fate of Ophelia" on Taylor Swift's new album, I knew what I had to do.
While I don't think Edwin Booth would be a Swiftie, I think she captures the loneliness of celebrity he certainly experienced.
While I don't think Edwin Booth would be a Swiftie, I think she captures the loneliness of celebrity he certainly experienced.
And this Booth saved a Lincoln! At some point from late 1863-early 1865, Robert Todd Lincoln fell into the tracks at a New Jersey train station, and Edwin was the one to pull him back onto the platform.
This is from "Giant in the Shadows" by Jason Emerson (Southern Illinois University Press, 2012)
This is from "Giant in the Shadows" by Jason Emerson (Southern Illinois University Press, 2012)
August 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM
And this Booth saved a Lincoln! At some point from late 1863-early 1865, Robert Todd Lincoln fell into the tracks at a New Jersey train station, and Edwin was the one to pull him back onto the platform.
This is from "Giant in the Shadows" by Jason Emerson (Southern Illinois University Press, 2012)
This is from "Giant in the Shadows" by Jason Emerson (Southern Illinois University Press, 2012)
36" long. Edwin Booth was about 5'7"-5'8" and of slight athletic build. This is an 1872 engraving of him wearing it; I haven't come across any photographs yet but I'm looking!
August 9, 2025 at 9:34 PM
36" long. Edwin Booth was about 5'7"-5'8" and of slight athletic build. This is an 1872 engraving of him wearing it; I haven't come across any photographs yet but I'm looking!
Thank your local archivist and librarian.
I'm immensely grateful to the staff at @folger.edu for working to allow me to view and handle Edwin Booth's Richard III tunic yesterday. Textiles are such a beast to preserve and make accessible. Being able to spend time with this costume meant the world.
I'm immensely grateful to the staff at @folger.edu for working to allow me to view and handle Edwin Booth's Richard III tunic yesterday. Textiles are such a beast to preserve and make accessible. Being able to spend time with this costume meant the world.
August 9, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Thank your local archivist and librarian.
I'm immensely grateful to the staff at @folger.edu for working to allow me to view and handle Edwin Booth's Richard III tunic yesterday. Textiles are such a beast to preserve and make accessible. Being able to spend time with this costume meant the world.
I'm immensely grateful to the staff at @folger.edu for working to allow me to view and handle Edwin Booth's Richard III tunic yesterday. Textiles are such a beast to preserve and make accessible. Being able to spend time with this costume meant the world.
Not the most talkative panelist, but I loved seeing her! #SHEAR2025
July 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Not the most talkative panelist, but I loved seeing her! #SHEAR2025
What a great #SHEAR2025 "Ten Things to Know About the American Revolution" session at the Providence Library. Loved the lightning round format and inclusion of the public! H/t to @kawulf .bsky.social's organization and special spotlight to my friends @jimambuske.bsky.social and Sam Snyder.
July 18, 2025 at 6:35 PM
What a great #SHEAR2025 "Ten Things to Know About the American Revolution" session at the Providence Library. Loved the lightning round format and inclusion of the public! H/t to @kawulf .bsky.social's organization and special spotlight to my friends @jimambuske.bsky.social and Sam Snyder.
The long journey to Providence began at 6am. #SHEAR2025
July 17, 2025 at 12:15 PM
The long journey to Providence began at 6am. #SHEAR2025
Winding down with work and gearing up for #shear25
If you're attending, check out our panel on Crafting and Commemorating Legacies of American Women in the Revolution and Early Republic on Friday at 4:15!
If you're attending, check out our panel on Crafting and Commemorating Legacies of American Women in the Revolution and Early Republic on Friday at 4:15!
July 14, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Winding down with work and gearing up for #shear25
If you're attending, check out our panel on Crafting and Commemorating Legacies of American Women in the Revolution and Early Republic on Friday at 4:15!
If you're attending, check out our panel on Crafting and Commemorating Legacies of American Women in the Revolution and Early Republic on Friday at 4:15!
A last minute meeting cancellation means a riveting afternoon of letter transcription. Extra special thank you to @linconspirators.bsky.social who makes Edwin Booths's atrocious handwriting easier to tackle.
July 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
A last minute meeting cancellation means a riveting afternoon of letter transcription. Extra special thank you to @linconspirators.bsky.social who makes Edwin Booths's atrocious handwriting easier to tackle.
I had the honor of attending the opening reception of the revamped, permanent exhibit "Lives Bound Together" at Mount Vernon last night. As someone who works at a small historic house museum, when larger institutions spotlight the stories of the enslaved, the impact is felt throughout the field. 1/x
June 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I had the honor of attending the opening reception of the revamped, permanent exhibit "Lives Bound Together" at Mount Vernon last night. As someone who works at a small historic house museum, when larger institutions spotlight the stories of the enslaved, the impact is felt throughout the field. 1/x
Working at a Frank Lloyd Wright house sure has its perks. Including giving me an appreciation for Frank Lloyd Wright houses!
April 19, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Working at a Frank Lloyd Wright house sure has its perks. Including giving me an appreciation for Frank Lloyd Wright houses!
I got to spend time with my favorite collections piece at work yesterday.
This is Angela Lewis' wedding dress, made from the silk of her mother's (Nelly Custis Lewis) wedding dress.
Bringing a 1799 dress into 1830s fashion was a meticulous skill, done by enslaved seamstresses Dolcey and Sukey.
This is Angela Lewis' wedding dress, made from the silk of her mother's (Nelly Custis Lewis) wedding dress.
Bringing a 1799 dress into 1830s fashion was a meticulous skill, done by enslaved seamstresses Dolcey and Sukey.
February 15, 2025 at 1:44 PM
I got to spend time with my favorite collections piece at work yesterday.
This is Angela Lewis' wedding dress, made from the silk of her mother's (Nelly Custis Lewis) wedding dress.
Bringing a 1799 dress into 1830s fashion was a meticulous skill, done by enslaved seamstresses Dolcey and Sukey.
This is Angela Lewis' wedding dress, made from the silk of her mother's (Nelly Custis Lewis) wedding dress.
Bringing a 1799 dress into 1830s fashion was a meticulous skill, done by enslaved seamstresses Dolcey and Sukey.