The Man Who Was Rip Van Winkle

"This is a masterful biography written with intelligence, insight, and respect. Benjamin McArthur uses the life of a now forgotten actor to tell the story of nineteenth-century theatre and, in turn, uses the story of nineteenth-century theatre to bring the actor back to life."—Jean-Christophe Agnew, Yale University

~Jean-Christophe Agnew

"What a pleasure to encounter such an engaging, astute, and well-written biography of this unique American theatrical icon. Examined through the lens of Jefferson's long and productive career, there is insight into virtually every aspect of 19th-century theatre."—Don B. Wilmeth, editor, Cambridge Guide to American Theatre, 2nd ed.

~Don B. Wilmeth

"McArthur's greatest strength lies in his knowledge of the way the American theater developed . . . helping reveal to us our forgotten, and fascinating, theatrical past."--Robert Gottlieb, New York Review of Books

~Robert Gottlieb, New York Review of Books