Charlotte Cushman

<p> Charlotte Cushman, one of the great actors of 19th century American theatre, was a lesbian who kept her identity hidden by focusing her career on male characters (Romeo, Claude Melnotte, Wolsey), and also on strong and passionate women (Lady Macbeth, Bianca in <I>Fazio</I>, and Queen Katherine in <I>Henry VIII</I>). This biography is an authoritative record of Cushman's life and performances, showing how her complex gender identity illuminates and is illuminated