image of person or book cover 4946372330309999641.jpg
Source: Houghton Library, University of Harvard
Frank Hussey Frank Hussey i(7978385 works by)
Born: Established: 26 Oct 1831 New York (State),
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United States of America (USA),
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Americas,
; Died: Ceased: 7 Dec 1889 Launceston, Northeast Tasmania, Tasmania,
Gender: Male
Arrived in Australia: 1869
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BiographyHistory

(1831-1889) American comedian, entertainer, songwriter, actor, troupe manager, entrepreneur

Frank Hussey made his professional debut in the USA in the early 1850s but had to (temporarily) abandon this career due to family pressure. He returned to the stage during the California gold rush and went on to carve out a significant reputation in America and internationally – notably as a troupe manager/leader. Hussey’s US career included the following companies: Wells and Hussey Minstrels, Hussey’s New York Minstrels, Hussey and Taylor’s California Minstrels, Hussey’s Male and Female Minstrels, and Hussey’s Minstrels (aka Frank Hussey’s Troupe).

Hussey came to Australia in 1869 and was initially associated with Frank Weston (including Weston and Hussey's Minstrels). He later toured his own troupes and starred in Walter Cooper’s Hazard (written for him) in 1872. He left Australia that same year but returned in 1884 for F. E. Hiscocks. Hussey settled in Launceston in 1886 and died there three years later.

[Source: Australian Variety Theatre Archive]

Most Referenced Works

Notes

  • Hussey created headlines around America in 1859 after accidentally shooting and killing a colleague while being attacked by another man back stage at a theatre in San Francisco.

  • The Launceston Examiner records in 1887 that Hussey had to that time written some 'thirty odd songs (words and music) sentimental and comic' (18 January 1887, p.2). Among the songs mentioned are: Among the songs mentioned are: 'Lily of the Lake' (sung in 1871 by Alfred Romer), 'The Days When I was Young (sung by Thomas Rainford while with the Christy Minstrels), and 'Old Friend Still' (sung by John De Hogg, 'the celebrated basso, formerly with the Lyster Opera Troupe'). Hussey's first attempt as a patriotic composer was reportedly 'Advance Tasmania' (1887).

Last amended 11 Nov 2014 11:51:38
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