Archer, William (1856–1924)

Scottish drama critic. He did much to popularize the work of Ibsen in England and advocated a more serious and realistic drama. His works include English Dramatists of To-day (1882), Masks or Faces (1888), and The Old Drama and the New (1923). His plays include War is War (1919) and The Green Goddess (1923).

Archer was born in Perth, Scotland. Educated at Edinburgh University, he went to London, where he soon took a prominent position in the literary world. He was drama critic on The World in 1884, and, later, on The Tribune and The Nation. He translated (either alone or in collaboration with his brother, Charles Archer) a number of Ibsen's plays, as well as editing Ibsen's prose dramas in five volumes (1890–91). Three of his plays were published posthumously: Martha Washington, Beatrix Juana, and Lidia.