Oct 06, 2016 Maud May Babcock- The Drama Queen

Maud May Babcock (1867-1954) graduated from the National School of Oratory of Philadelphia and the Lyceum School of Acting, now the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. She was an instructor at various institutions including Harvard University, Engleside School for Girls, Rutgers College, and was the first female faculty member at the University of Utah in 1901. Named the “First Lady of Utah Theater”, she founded the Department of Theater and directed over 800 plays.

Babcock also founded the Department of Elocution and wrote numerous books on the subject, including Handbook for Teachers of Interpretation, Interpretive Selections for High Schools, and Interpretive Selections for College. She was former president of the national Association for the Teachers of Speech, served on the board of Utah School for the Deaf and Blind for twenty years and later in life was made an honorary member of the National League of American Pen Women. She was chaplain of the Utah State Senate, probably the first woman in the country to hold such a position.

Early portrait of Maud, circa 1891.

U of U staff and faculty

Babcock players, 1925

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Maud May Babcock early 1900s

Babcock established Physical Education as an important component to education. Maud is standing near the pillar at the center.

Search Maud May Babcock collections: http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv02252/op=fstyle.aspx?t=k&q=maud+may+babcock

http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv09509/op=fstyle.aspx?t=k&q=maud+may+babcock

Written by Sara Davis