Florence Gerald

Florence Melton Gerald (1858–1942) was an American stage actress, poet, and writer. She was known for her acting roles in Broadway theatre.

Early life and education Florence Melton Gerald was born on September 23, 1858, in New Orleans, to parents Omega Melton (1836–1918) and Judge George Bruce Gerald (1835–1914). Her maternal grandfather James G. Melton had owned the only hotel at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas in the 19th-century, which had been a gathering place on March 2, 1836, after Texas Declaration of Independence, and was once home to the original Texas Liberty Bell.

Gerald attended Waco University (now Baylor University) in Waco, Texas, where she studied poetry and graduated in 1873, and in 1880.

Gerald wrote the play, The Woman Pays, which was adapted into the 1915 silent film by screenwriter Harry Chandlee.

Gerald died at age 83, on September 6, 1942, at the St. James Hotel at Broadway and 26th Street in New York City. Aug. 29, 1899 – Oct. 1899 The Girl from Maxim's Mme. Petypont Grand Opera House, New York City, Criterion Theatre, New York City Hyde and Benham 1899 The Angel of the Alley Mrs. Bennett New York City directed by Theo Kremer Feb. 17, 1903 – April 30, 1903 Resurrection Aunt Mary Hammerstein's Victoria, New York City Dec. 22, 1909 – Jan. 15, 1910 The Goddess of Liberty Lady FitzHugh Murray Weber's Music Hall, New York City musical play produced by Joseph E. Howard Dec. 24, 1913 – Jan. 1, 1914 We Are Seven Maxine Elliott's Theatre, New York City May 5, 1914 – May 31, 1914 The Charm of Isabel Maxine Elliott's Theatre, New York City May 25, 1920 – May 31, 1920 An Innocent Idea Mrs. Case Fulton Theatre, New York City Aug. 30, 1920 – Sept. 1, 1920 Immodest Violet Mrs. Amantha Rose 48th Street Theatre, New York City April 17, 1923 – April 28, 1923 Within Four Walls Louisa Minuit Selwyn Theatre, New York City directed by Mack Hilliard Oct. 16, 1923–June 15, 1924 The Shame Woman Martha Case Greenwich Village Theatre, New York City Feb. 10, 1925 – May 1, 1925 The Rat Mme. Colline Astor Theatre, New York City, New York produced by Earl Carroll Jan. 18, 1927 – July 30, 1927 The Barker Maw Benson Princess Theatre, New York City, Biltmore Theatre, New York City produced by Charles L. Wagner Mar. 8, 1927 –Mar. 31, 1927 The Heaven Tappers Mrs. Gilson Forrest Theatre, New York City Feb. 21, 1928 – Mar. 1, 1928 Maya as 'mama' Comedy Theatre, New York City Jan. 2, 1933 – Jan. 31, 1933 Saint Wench Lyceum Theatre, New York City Dec. 10, 1934 –Jan. 26, 1935 Valley Forge as 'auntie' Guild Theatre, New York City Oct. 14, 1935 Tobacco Road Ada Lester Lyric Theatre, Allentown, Pennsylvania Dec. 14, 1937 Tobacco Road Ada Lester Paramount Theatre, Alexandria, Louisiana Dec. 31, 1937 Tobacco Road Ada Lester Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, California Publications