Edward Gordon Craig

Edward Gordon Craig was born in 1872 in Stevenage, the illegitimate son of celebrated actress Ellen Terry and architect-designer Edward Godwin. His parents’ relationship scandalized society and the surname Craig was chosen to try and temper the negative associations of illegitimacy. Craig had one older sister, Edith Craig, who became a theatre director, costume designer, and actress. As a child, he spent much of his time at the theatre while his mother performed on stage, and became a great admirer of her friend and colleague, Sir Henry Irving.

Craig married Helen (May) Gibson in 1893, with whom he had five children. While still married to his wife, he had an affair with the violinist Elena Meo and had a further three children. The youngest of these was Edward Carrick, a successful film designer. Craig had several other lovers during his marriage and had four other children, three of whom survived to adulthood.

Craig moved to Florence in 1906 and established his workshop/studio in the Arena Goldoni. After moving to Sweden and then returning to London, he subsequently based himself in Paris from 1935 onwards. When the Nazis occupied the city in 1940, he was incarcerated along with other British subjects. Craig was released in 1941 and moved to the south of France three years after the end of World War Two. He died at the age of 94 in Vence, France.

Key Dates & Events

• 1893 - Craig marries Helen (May) Gibson.
• 1906 - Craig moves to Florence to establish his studio in the Arena Goldoni.
• 1905 - Craig writes his essay, The Art of the Theatre, which was subsequently republished in 1911 as On the Art of Theatre.
• 1908 - Craig publishes A Portfolio of Etchings.
• 1908-1921 - Craig publishes and edits The Mask.
• 1912 - Craig collaborates with Stanislavski on his influential production of Hamlet.
• 1935 - Craig moves to Paris.
• 1940 - Craig was incarcerated by the Nazis during World War Two. He was released the following year.
• 1957 - Craig writes his memoirs, Index to the Story of My Days.