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Elizabeth Reese

@elizamreese.bsky.social

500 followers 460 following 130 posts

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

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · Jul 14

I've gotten quite a few new followers recently so I guess it's time to introduce myself!
I am a public historian who has spent 15 years at historic sites. I currently oversee interpretation at Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House, a site of radical transformation from plantation to free-labor colony.

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 4d

DC-area friends! I'll be presenting some.of my research on Edwin Booth, celebrity, and grief at Lee-Fendall House in Alexandria on November 15!

A perfect way to (belatedly) celebrate Edwin's birthday!

More information: www.eventbrite.com/e/brother-to...

Brother to the Assassin: Edwin Booth and the Rebirth of American Theatre

This lecture will explore the career of Edwin Booth, whose work was overshadowed by the infamous act of his brother, John Wilkes Booth.

www.eventbrite.com

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 6d

A few thoughts about Edwin Booth, celebrity, and the new Taylor Swift album.

open.substack.com/pub/elizabet...

Life of a...Tragedian

Confession time: I keep playlists for each of my research subjects.

open.substack.com

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 6d

I have not been keeping up with my substack, but this changes tomorrow morning!

substack.com/@elizareese?...

Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 6d

I used to give tours of the Capitol (one of the red-jacketed guides) and this portrait was my absolute favorite in the entire building. It really pops against the yellow wall of the House corridor too.

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Reposted by Elizabeth Reese

Verna Kale @vernakale.bsky.social · 12d

I made a Ralph Ingersoll and Martha Gellhorn appreciation meme.

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 16d

I have a few lectures and interviews about my project-in-progress lined up and it's the most motivating thing.

If you're interested in learning more about Edwin Booth and the impact of celebrity, grief, and memory on American theatre, let me know!

Reposted by Elizabeth Reese

Kate Carpenter @katecarp.bsky.social · 16d

Historians who write books, please a) set up your own author website, independent of your university profile and b) get some professional headshots taken. Love, your friendly neighborhood podcaster.

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 16d

I completely agree with this! I'm a public historian, but having my own website separate from my institution has been incredibly beneficial, even as simply a portfolio of my public work.

I use Google Sites and it's incredibly simple.

www.elizabethmreese.com

Elizabeth M. Reese

Experienced public historian passionate about connecting audiences to the past through public memory, family ties, and grief.

www.elizabethmreese.com

Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 24d

Sarah Maza's Thinking about History is great. It's a book, but not dense. Even the introduction would be worthwhile.

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 25d

Sorry, bottom left

Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 25d

I have a feeling this was taken on the balcony with a partition blocking the street/onlookers! In the bottom right of the full images you can see a glimpse of the railing/outdoors.

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 25d

Do you have the date of this photo? I actually pulled a bunch of paperwork relating to his final few days yesterday! I also owe you an email, so expect that soon!

Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 26d

The last (and only other) time I visited The Players was twelve years ago today! How weird is that?

Well, as they say, everything you love has a way of coming back to you

Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 26d

Today was a whirlwind research day, but here are some of the highlights. Paging @linconspirators.bsky.social...

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 29d

I think I've seen a show there in every arrangement BUT the round! Another reason to see it!

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · 29d

Is it in the round?

Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · Sep 17

It's such a beautiful book.

Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · Sep 14

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.

Edwin Booth at age 23, photographed by Fernando Dessaur, 1856. (Houghton Library, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

He is wearing a black jacket, pants and waistcoat with a loose black necktie and white shirt. He is looking slightly to his left.

Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · Sep 10

#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.

A 1850 daguerreotype Junius Brutus Booth and Edwin Booth.

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · Sep 4

Congratulations!!!!

Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · Sep 3

Edwin Booth, sometimes: "Sorry your son is dead, but you will not BELIEVE how much I hate my son-in-law."

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · Sep 3

"A jolly old house is mine - would you not rather have your child in heaven? I would. Particularly if i knew that her husband was in HELL where he belongs!"

Booth wrote this to his friend William Winter, who had recently lost his son Arthur. He later apologized for his offense.

(2/2)

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · Sep 3

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)

July 1886 letter from Edwin Booth to William Winter that reads:

"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. A jolly old house is mine - would you not rather have your child in heaven? I would. Particularly if i knew that (con't on next page) her husband was in HELL where he belongs!"

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Reposted by Elizabeth Reese

The Journal of the Civil War Era @jcwe.bsky.social · Aug 29

Muster is looking for new contributors! We want to include a wide range of voices from many different of perspectives. Please share the following call widely. www.journalofthecivilwarera.org/2025/08/call...

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Elizabeth Reese @elizamreese.bsky.social · Aug 26

My thesis prospectus was officially approved today!

a cartoon character with a pink cheek and a smile on his face is standing on a white background .

ALT: a cartoon character with a pink cheek and a smile on his face is standing on a white background .

media.tenor.com