Gilbert Emery Bensley Pottle[1] (June 11, 1875 โ October 28, 1945), known professionally as Gilbert Emery, was an American actor who appeared in over 80 movies from 1921 to his death in 1945. He was also a playwright, author of seven Broadway plays from 1921 to 1933.[2]
Early years
Gilbert Emery Bensley Pottle was born June 11, 1875, in Naples, New York, to William L. and Hariette (Gilbert) Pottle. He prepared for college at Naples High School and at the Normal School in Oneonta, New York. He graduated from Amherst College[3] in the class of 1899.
Career
Pottle started out as a short story writer, using the name Emery Pottle,[4] and he later wrote plays. From 1899 to 1900 he was an instructor in English and public speaking at Beloit Academy in Wisconsin. In 1900 he was a reporter for the Morning Sun in New York City; from 1900-1901 he worked for the Evening Post; and from 1901-1903 he worked for Criterion Magazine. He was an instructor in English at Columbia University and a writer.
He wrote a number of books in his early years, including Handicapped, The Little Village, and The Little House. He also wrote poems and short stories for magazines and several plays. Much of his writing was under the pen name Gilbert Emery.
Emery began his career as a playwright in 1921 with several of his plays produced on Broadway into the 1930's. He also acted in several other productions. His first play, "The Hero", was revived in 2014 to acclaimed reviews including the New York Times [1].
Personal life
On November 22, 1904, Emery (using the name Emery Pottle) married Juliet Wilbour Tompkins, a writer, in New York. Tompkins sued for divorce in March 1905.[5]