James Stetson Metcalfe

James Stetson Metcalfe (June 27, 1858 – May 26, 1927) was an American drama critic who wrote for Life Magazine and The Wall Street Journal.

Early life Metcalfe was born on June 27, 1858, in Buffalo, New York. He was a son of James Harvey Metcalfe (1822–1879) and Erzelia Frances ( Stetson) Metcalfe (1832–1913). Among his siblings were Frances Metcalfe Wolcott (an author who married U.S. Representative Lyman K. Bass and U.S. Senator Edward O. Wolcott), George Stetson Metcalfe, and Francis Tyler Metcalfe. His father came to Buffalo from Bath, New York, in 1855 and established the family fortune by founding the First National Bank of Buffalo and the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad. He was also an early park commissioner and helped implement Frederick Law Olmsted's plan for the city's park system.

He attended Phillips-Andover Academy and Yale University, where he received both his B.A. degree in 1879 and his M.A. degree in 1891. After Life, he wrote for Judge magazine, serving as the art and dramatic editor for two years before becoming the dramatic editor of The Wall Street Journal in 1923.

In 1915, he established the Metcalfe Prize at Yale for the best essay written on the theatre. In 1919, was made a Knight of the French Legion of Honour for his work on behalf of French war orphans.

Personal life Metcalfe was twice married. His first marriage was in 1896 to Edith Williams (1865–1902), a daughter of Homer M. Williams of Batavia, New York. After her death in 1902, he married actress Elizabeth Tyree (1864–1952) at the Marble Collegiate Church in 1904. Elizabeth was "from an old Virginia family and went on stage after several season in Washington society." After a funeral service in Buffalo, he was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery there. His widow, who inherited his estate and was a founder of the Bedford Hills Community House, died at their home in 1952.