I have just written an Irishman's Diary in the Irish Times newspaper on May Belfort (c. 1872-1929). Read it here. Belfort was a singer and entertainer who appeared on stages all around Europe, North America, South Africa and Russia at the end of the 19th century.
Below are some of images of Belfort, including two by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and a poster to advertise an appearance by Belfort in 1900.
As I mention in the article, Belfort died in poverty in America in 1929. An article from an Australian newspaper from 23 July 1929 says that she lost the "considerable fortune" that she amassed from her stage career through ill-advised mining investments. It also says that towards the end of her life she had been making a "bare living" as a rug weaver. A sad end to such a colourful life. Read the Australian newspaper article here on Trove.
'Portrait of Miss May Belfort', Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Image source.
May Belfort by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Image source.
I just read your article about May Belfort. She deserves so much more recognition. After coming to the US, she met and married Richard Mudge. Richard was the president of the White Rats organization in New York. It was an effort to unionize vaudeville actors. When it folded, Richard and May moved to the mid-west and were involved is several different businesses. One was the invention of disposable paper underwear. Richard was friends with Buffalo Bill, and Richard's daughter Eva performed in the circus show. She was a daredevil stunt driver and sharp shooter. After Richard died, May moved to Santa Barbara. But, it wasn't all gloomy. She was actively involved in the Community Playhouse and well known for playing Irish characters. Her scrapbooks were donated to the theater group upon her death. Sadly, I have not been able to find them. She also donated a leather jacket from Buffalo Bill that was given to her husband to the local history museum. Eva Mudge claimed it back and the jacket surfaced a few years ago in an auction. I learned about May in researching one of her vaudeville friends Theo Carew (Theodora Marcone) who flew out to see May, arriving an hour or two prior to May's death.
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