Origins & Early Life

Martha Mansfield (born Martha Ehrlich; July 14, 1899 – November 30, 1923) was an American actress in silent films and vaudeville stage plays. She was born in New York City to Maurice and Harriett Gibson Ehrlich. She had a younger sister, Edith, born in 1905. Although many biographies state that Martha was born in Mansfield, Ohio, her birth record and death certificate both have New York City as her place of birth.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Her mother, Harriet, was from Mansfield, Ohio, having emigrated there from Ireland in 1885. Martha later adopted the name of the town as her stage name. By the early 1910s, Mansfield and her mother had moved to the Bronx and were living on 158th Street. At the age of 14, she became determined to become an actress. She lobbied for, and won, a role in the Broadway production of Little Women in 1912.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

She also began working as an artists' model and dancer. She danced in the musical Hop o' My Thumb in 1913, still using her birth name. She also acted in The Passing Show of 1915 and Robinson Crusoe, Jr. before changing her name. As a model, she posed for illustrator Harrison Fisher and was the subject of more than 300 photographs by Alfred Cheney Johnston...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Al Capone — Contemporary (Born in 1899) (1899): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alfred Hitchcock — Contemporary (Born in 1899) (1899): Master of Suspense, influential English filmmaker known for psychological thrillers.
• Buick — Contemporary (Born in 1899) (1899): A historic American automotive brand, a premium division of General Motors.
• Aaron Spelling — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• André Gorz — Contemporary (Born in 1923) (1923): Austrian-French philosopher known for critiques of work and political ecology.
• Bernard Bosanquet (philosopher) — Contemporary (Died in 1923) (1923): Influential English philosopher and political theorist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Ante Pavelić — Shared historical date (07-14 · Born) (1889): Croatian politician and dictator of the Independent State of Croatia (1941-1945)
• Augustin-Jean Fresnel — Shared historical date (07-14 · Died) (1827): Pioneering optical physicist known for the wave theory of light and the invention of the Fresnel lens.
• Andrea Doria — Shared historical date (11-30 · Born) (1466): Prominent Genoese statesman, condottiero, and admiral who dominated Mediterranean naval power.
• Andrea Palladio — Shared historical date (11-30 · Born) (1508): Master Renaissance architect whose villas defined the Palladian style.
• 1899 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1899
• July 14 (07-14) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 14
• 1923 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1923
• November 30 (11-30) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 30