Ira Aldridge :: essays research papers fc

ire Frederick Aldridge was born on July 24, 1807 in New York. However, his provenance remained questionable until 40 or so years ago. It has also been listed as Senegal(Africa), and Maryland. However conclusive evidence was found in the 1950s that he was born in New York. Included in this evidence ar his British Naturalization papers and Death Certificate. His father was Reverend Daniel Adlridge , a straw vendor and preacher in "Old Zion". His mother was Lurranah. Ira grew up in a ho theatrical role on what is now air jacket Broadway in New York City. He attended the African Free schooltime none2, which provided free education for Black children. The African Free School was set up in 1787 on Cliff Street with one classroom for 40 children. After it was burnt down in 1814, it was relocated to no. 245 William Street. In 1820, A second African Free School was built in 1820 on Mulberry Street. This was known as the Arfrican Free School No. 2. It was here that Ira attende d school. However, it is believed that he also attended No. 1 in his earlier childhood years. The African Free Schools atomic number 18 credited with contributing to the Abolitionist movement. They inspired them to fight for equal rights and use themselves as living examples that Blacks and Whites have the same potentials.     Ira spent much(prenominal) of his childhood at neighborhood theaters where he watched Black people dress many roles varying from skits to Shakespearean roles, such as Richard III. He in the main attended two theaters. The first one was the Park Theater that open up in 1798.Two frequent actors were Brits by the names of James and Henry Wallack. In this theater he didnt get such great seats since it was segregated, so he preferred the African Theater, owned by a piece by the name of Mr. Brown. One of the actors who frequently performed there was James Hewlett. He was very talented and had a profound impact on youngish Ira. When he ente red his teens he performed a skit called "Opossum up a glue tree" locally. People were impressed, and he was dubbed the "African Roscius." Ira became friendly with the Wallacks and was their face-to-face attendant.     In that time, when Blacks were starting to be accepted in American culture, a religious profession was something to aspire to. Therefore, Daniel constantly urged Ira to follow in his footsteps. He took him out of the theater so he could sit nigh to him in his church.