The New International Encyclopædia/Arthur, Julia

ARTHUR, Julia (1869—). The stage name of Ida Lewis, an American actress. She was born at Hamilton, (3nt., May 3, 1869. At the age of fourteen she appeared on the professional stage, and then, after three seasons, went to England to study music and drama. Having returned to New York, she met with success in The Black Masque, and in A. M. Palmer's company as Mercedes, etc. In 1895 she appeared in London with Irving at the Lyceum, playing Rosamund in Becket, and other parts. Next year she accompanied Irving and Terry to America. In 1897 she brought out in New York A Lady of Quality on an elaborate scale; the following season she appeared as Rosalind in As You Like It, at Wallack's Theatre. October 24, 1899, she produced, at the Broadway Theatre, More Than Queen, from the French of Emile Bergerat, taking the part of Josephine Bonaparte, which obtained a great success. In March, 1900, an illness in Philadelphia led her unexpectedly to leave the stage. She is the wife of B. P. Cheney.

Consult: J. B. Clapp and E. F. Edgett, Players of the Present (New York. 1899) ; and L. C. Strang, Famous Actresses of the Day in America (Boston, 1899).