Lewisohn, Irene (1892–1944)

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Lewisohn, Irene (1892–1944)

American theater and acting-school founder. Born Sept 5, 1892, in New York, NY; died April 1944 in NY; 5th daughter and youngest of 10 children of Leonard Lewisohn (businessman) and Rosalie (Jacobs) Lewisohn; sister of Alice Lewisohn; attended Finch School in NY; never married; no children.

With sister, built the landmark Neighborhood Playhouse; joined Rita Morgenthau in founding the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater (1928), of which she remained co-director for many years; also founded Museum of Costume Art (later Costume Institute which became part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art).

See also Women in World History.

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