August 24, 2020
Book set features Purdue alumnus, playwright George Ade
The works of Purdue alumnus George Ade, famous playwright and an instrumental figure in creating Purdue’s Ross-Ade Stadium, is featured in a new two-volume book set, “Plays Worth Remembering: A Veritable Feast of George Ade’s Greatest Hits.”
The set begins with an introduction of Ade and a description of his life as an artist and someone who entertained celebrities, authors and politicians. “Plays Worth Remembering” also includes a full-length one-act, several musical plays and the screenplays from two lost silent films as well as background to each work. Additionally, illustrations of original show posters and photos of Ade and his life are included. The set is curated and edited by Ade’s nephew, William C. Ade.
George Ade made his name writing a daily column at a Chicago newspaper after graduating from Purdue in the late 1880s. The column, “Stories of the Streets and of the Town,” provided him experience to perfect his writing of dialogue, description and humor. In the early 1900s, Ade turned his attention to writing plays and musical comedies. Ade continued publishing until 1940. Upon his death in 1944 he was pegged as the “warmhearted satirist” by biographer Fred C. Kelly.
A hardcover version of the two-volume set is available for purchase on Amazon. An e-book version of Volume 1 and Volume 2 also can be purchased on Amazon. Barnes and Noble has an e-book version of both volumes available for purchase. A 25% discount is available to Purdue faculty, staff and students. To access the offer, email vaughtade@sbcglobal.net.
All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to support the Purdue University Libraries and/or the George Ade home.
Purdue’s Archives and Special Collections library has a number of collections on George Ade.
Writer: Madison Sanneman