John Peter Toohey
John Peter Toohey (September 18, 1879 - November 7, 1946, New York City) was an American writer and publicist. He is best known as a member of the Algonquin Round Table. According to Ross and The New Yorker by , Toohey supplied the name for the famous magazine. According to the story, when several Algonquin types were brainstorming for a name, he asked them about who the magazine was intended for. When he was told "New Yorkers," he replied, "Then call it The New Yorker"—and he returned to his lunch.
Biography[]
He was born on September 18, 1879 in Binghamton, New York. He was a reporter for the Scranton Tribune and around 1900 joined the Washington Post and the New York Evening World before moving into publicity.
In 1918 he was a manager for Klaw and Erlanger.
He co-wrote two comedic plays produced on Broadway, Swifty (1922) with , and Jonesey (1929) with .
From 1930 to 1942, Toohey was "general representative," i.e., the chief publicist, of the Broadway producer Sam H. Harris's company.[1]
He died on November 7, 1946 in New York City.
Film portrayal[]
Toohey was portrayed by actor Jake Johannsen in the film Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994).[2]
References[]
- ^ "John Peter Toohey, A Magazine Writer." New York Times. November 8, 1946. p. 23
- ^ Internet Movie Database entry for Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle
External links[]
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- 1879 births
- 1946 deaths
- American humorists
- 20th-century American dramatists and playwrights
- Algonquin Round Table
- American dramatist and playwright stubs