Isaacs, Edith (1878–1956)
Isaacs, Edith (1878–1956)
American magazine editor and critic. Name variations: Edith Rich or Edith Juliet Rich; Edith J. Isaacs or Edith J.R. Isaacs or Edith Juliet Rich Isaacs. Born Edith Juliet Rich, Mar 27, 1878, in Milwaukee, WI; died Jan 10, 1956, in White Plains, NY; dau. of Adolph Walter Rich and Rosa (Sidenberg) Rich; m. Lewis Montefiore Isaacs, Nov 28, 1904 (died 1944); children: 2 daughters (b. 1906, 1915), 1 son (b. 1908).
Was reporter for Milwaukee Sentinel (c. 1897–1902), becoming literary editor (1903); was drama critic for Ainslee's Magazine (1913) and wrote articles for The Delineator and Ladies' Home Journal; joined editorial board of quarterly magazine, Theatre Arts (1918), becoming editor (1922); organized exhibition of Blondiau-Theater Arts Collection of Primitive African Art, 1st such large show in NY (1920s); helped create National Theater Conference (1925) and American National Theater and Academy (1935); worked with Federal Theater Project (1930s); wrote The American Theater in Social and Educational Life: A Survey of Its Needs and Opportunities (1932) and The Negro in the American Theater (1947); had Theater Arts Project named for her at James Weldon Johnson Community Center (1958); discovered several subsequently famous performers, including dramatist Eugene O'Neill and dancer Martha Graham.