This is the first full-length biography of the distinguished actor-manager Walter Hampden (1879-1955). Most of the sources are from hitherto unpublished documents in the Walter Hampden Collection of the Hampden-Booth Library at the Players Club and from the author's extensive interviews with Walter Hampden's son Paul. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Hampden began his career in England as an apprentice with the Frank Benson Company. He appeared prominently in the West End in London, returned home to America, and with his brilliant successes as ""Hamlet"" and ""Cyrano on Broadway"" emerged as a major artist. He established his own theater in New York, and his career on stage lasted for more than half a century. Late in life he also became a prominent actor on radio, television, and films. This biography includes illustrations from all periods of his life and a chronology of his roles in all media. Geddeth Smith is an actor and a biographer of nineteenth-century actors.