FITCH, WILLIAM CLYDE (1865-1909), American play wright, was born on May 2, 1865, in Elmira, N.Y., and graduated from Amherst college in 1886. An interest in literature, already formed, led him to establish himself in New York city, where he began writing short stories for various magazines. His best known play, Beau Brummel, produced by Richard Mansfield in 1890, was almost his first, and it at once brought him recognition. He was a prolific writer and between 1890 and his death pro duced 36 original plays and 24 adaptations. Among his most im portant, besides Beau Brummel, were The Climbers (Igor), The Girl with the Green Eyes (1902), The Truth (19o7) and The City (1909). Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines (1902) was a charm ing light comedy which gave Ethel Barrymore one of her first opportunities. Fitch's plays show humour and facility in dialogue and expert knowledge of theatre technique, but lack strength and universality. He died in France on Sept. 4, 1909.
See M. J. Moses and V. Gerson, editors, Plays by Clyde Fitch 0915) and Clyde Fitch and His Letters (1924) ; also A. H. Quinn, History of the American Drama (1927).