William Lepper Pilgrim (stage name Abingdon; 2 May 1859 – 17 May 1918) was an English stage actor who settled in the United States. As well as enjoying a lengthy theatre career, he appeared in four silent films during the 1910s.

William L. Abingdon
In The Sketch, 28 November 1894
Born
William Lepper Pilgrim

(1859-05-02)2 May 1859
Towcester, England
Died17 May 1918(1918-05-17) (aged 59)
Burial placeWoodlawn Cemetery
OccupationActor
Spouses
(divorced)
(m. 1906)

Biography

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William L. Pilgrim was born in Towcester on 2 May 1859.[1] He attended private school, and worked as a bank clerk until age 18. He then left to pursue a career in theatre.[2]

He married twice, first to British actress Rachel de Solla,[3] and then to American actress Bijou Fernandez on May 29, 1906.[1][2][4]

He committed suicide at his home in New York City on 17 May 1918, and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.[5]

His son William (1888–1959) also took the surname Abingdon and became a stage director.[3]

Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b Parker, John, ed. (1916). Who's Who in the Theatre (3rd ed.). London: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons. p. 2. Retrieved 25 August 2023 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b Truitt, Evelyn Mack (1908). Browne, Walter; Koch, E. De Roy (eds.). Who's Who on the Stage. New York: B. W. Dodge & Company. pp. 5–6. Retrieved 25 August 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ a b Who's Who in the Theatre. Vol. 11. Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons. 1952. p. 242. Retrieved 25 August 2023 – via Google Books. ABINGDON, William, M.B.E., stage director; b. Highgate, 1 July, 1888; s. of W. L. Abingdon and his wife Rachel (De Solla)
  4. ^ "Bijou Fernandez Married". The New York Times. 30 May 1906. p. 7. Retrieved 25 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Body of W. L. Abingdon Will Be Buried Today". Chicago Tribune. New York (published 20 May 1918). 19 May 1918. p. 9. Retrieved 25 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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