Fitch, Clyde (1865-1909), was one of the most productive and successful American playwrights of his time. His works include farces, problem plays, historical plays, and plays about high society. Several of Fitch’s plays are notable for their realistic presentation of familiar scenes from life in his day. Fitch was stage manager for his plays, controlling every detail of their production.
William Clyde Fitch was born on May 2, 1865, in Elmira, New York. From Beau Brummell (1890) to The City (1909), he wrote more than 30 original plays and 22 adaptations of novels and foreign plays. In 1901, Fitch had four plays running in New York City at the same time, Lovers’ Lane, Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines, The Climbers, and Barbara Frietchie. His other plays include The Girl with the Green Eyes (1902), Her Great Match (1905), and The Truth (1907). He died on Sept. 4, 1909.
