John Howard Payne (1791-1852) was America's first international actor-dramatist. Though he was a prolific playwright, he is best remembered for his song "Home, Sweet Home."

John Howard Payne was born in New York City on June 9, 1791. Against his family's wishes he early took to the theater. He edited his own newspaper, the Thespian Mirror, "to promote the interests of American drama," when he was 14. The following year his first play was produced. He made his debut as an actor in 1809 as young Norvall in Douglas by John Home and was an immediate sensation. By 1813, however, Payne's popularity had waned and he left for England.

This sensitive, unstable, charming man spent the next 20 years in Europe. Though Payne first acted and later wrote prolifically for the theater, he was constantly chased by creditors and became famous without becoming prosperous. His plays were sold outright to managers so that he...