PAYNE, JOHN HOWARD (1791-1852), American actor and playwright, was born in New York city, on June 9, 1791. When but 14 years of age, Payne established and edited The Thespian Mirror, of which 14 numbers were published. In 1806 he published Julia, his first play, which was performed at the Park theatre, New York city, the same year. On Feb. 24, also at the Park theatre, Payne made his debut as an actor, play ing the part of Norval in the tragedy of Douglas. His instant success in this role was followed by successes as Zaphno in Mahomet, Octavian in The Mountaineers, Salem in Barbarossa, Tancred in Sigismonda and Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. In 1813 he was engaged at the Drury Lane theatre in London. He re mained in England or France for nearly 20 years as an actor and playwright. During his stay in Europe he wrote, translated, or adapted for the English stage more than 6o plays. For a time he was employed by the Drury Lane theatre to live in Paris and make translations and adaptations of French drama. In 1818 he wrote Brutus, which, produced at Drury Lane with Edmund Kean in the title role, ran for so nights. It speedily became a favourite in America and formed part of the regular repertoire of McCullough, Edwin Forrest and Edwin Booth. In May 1823 his opera, Clari; or the Maid of Milan, was performed at the Covent Garden theatre, London. This is the opera in which his famous song Home Sweet Home appears, and it was first sung on that occasion by Ann Maria Tree. Washington Irving was Payne's constant friend
and adviser while in England and aided him materially in writing the popular Charles the Second. Payne was the first American who as an actor or playwright attracted a great deal of attention in England. He corresponded with Charles Lamb, and cherished an ardent but unrequited love for Mary Shelley. In 1832 Payne returned to America. He became interested in the Cherokee Indians with whom he lived for a time in the hut of John Ross, their famous chief. He espoused their cause against the Government in memorials and magazine articles, and collected their myths and traditions. In 1842 President Tyler appointed him American consul at Tunis, Africa, but he was recalled in 1845. In 1851 he was reappointed to his old post. He died at Tunis on April 9, 1852.