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FIRST LADY OF THE AMERICAN THEATRE 1893-1974 Katharine Cornell was born on February 16, 1893 in Berlin, Germany, where her father, Peter C. Cornell, was a post-graduate medical student. After his studies were complete, the family moved back to the United States and settled in Buffalo, New York. By this time the family already had a Cobourg connection. Back in 18/9 Peter's father, the wealthy Samuel Douglas Cornell, (Katharine’s grandfather) had been one of the first Americans to purchase a summer home in this lakeside town. It was called Hadfield Hurst and was located at 202 Green Street. Katharine later recalled, “As a child | spent all of my. - vacations in Cobourg. They were wonderful summers, and for that reason seemed much more.like home to me than Buffalo.”* The home had a long gallery at the back of the house where her grandfather, and young Katharine in her turn, used to puton plays. Recalling those days, she wrote, “My companions-and | gave plays in our gardens. It was in Cobourg, | think, that | first acquired a leaning .. towards the theatre.” * After Samuel died:in 1910 the house became a private girls’ school, Hatfield Hall. It remains today, but now as an apartment building. Giving up his medical practice, Katharine’s father became part owner and manager of the Star i. Theatre in Buffalo. This undoubtedly further fueled her ~~ theatrical ambitions.