Leslie, Amy (1855–1939)

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Leslie, Amy (1855–1939)

American singer and drama critic. Name variations: Lillie West; Lillie West Brown Buck. Born Lillie West, Oct 11, 1855, in West Burlington, IA; died July 3, 1939, in Chicago, IL; dau. of Albert Waring West (merchant) and Kate Content (Webb) West; m. Harry Brown (singer), c. 1880 (div.); Franklyn Howard Buck (famous big-animal trapper known as Frank Buck), 1901 (div. 1916); children: (1st m.) Francis Albert.

Earned fame as light-opera soprano (mid-1880s); death of son (1889) caused her to leave stage and start career in journalism; wrote for Chicago Daily News (1890–1930), the only female drama critic in Chicago; published 2 books, Amy Leslie at the Fair (1893) and Some Players (1899).

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