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Blanche K. McKey

Image of Blanche K. McKey

Blanche Kendall Thomas McKey was born on 30 June 1879 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Richard Kendall Thomas, a pioneer merchant, and Caroline Stockdale Thomas. The Thomas children grew up acting on a stage their father built, with Blanche's sister, Kate, writing plays for them. Blanche graduated from the University of Utah in 1900 with a normal certificate, and in the following year, left for New York with her older sister Kate. There, Blanche took private acting lessons. A few months later, she auditioned for Klaw and Erlanger, a prestigious New York agency, and was placed under contract. She played Tirzah in "Ben Hur" on the New York stage and also took five Shakespearean parts under Charles B. Hanford.

Blanche acted in various other companies before her marriage to William Richard McKey in 1907. They met when both were performing lead roles in "Eben Holden" in New York. William and Blanche had two children.

Blanche wrote many radio scripts, one-act plays, and narrative poems. Some of these won national recognition, including the PEN award. She taught drama at Weber State after her husband's death from 1918-1923. She then attended the University of Utah and received her degree in 1924. She received her M.A. degree four years later. Blanche Kendall Thomas McKey died in 1973 at age 93.

Blanche Kendall Thomas McKey, Blanche Kendall McKee
Was published in an LDS work.
William Richard McKey
1879-06-30
Salt Lake City, Utah
1973-04-08
Female
Author, Poet
English

22 Works by Blanche K. McKey

Title Role Year Genre
Our Magazine--A Pageant Author 1935 Drama
Silent Strings Author 1943 Short Story
Be Gay, for Once Author 1947 Fiction
The Oldest Girl of the Oldest Girl Author 1950 Short Story
No Tears, Beloved Author 1952 Short Story
A Lady's Skirt Author 1953 Fiction
First Snowfall Author 1960 Poetry
Forever the Fragile Lily Author 1961 Poetry
Never Land and Home Author 1965 Poetry
No Petal Lost Author 1966 Poetry
Remembering Sorrow Author 1962 Poetry
Autumn Author 1936 Poetry
The Bridge Author 1935 Poetry
My Mother Author 1927 Poetry
Young Death Author 1929 Poetry
Foreshadows Author 1931 Poetry
Light Within Author 1932 Drama
Christmas Tree Author 1937 Poetry
His Silences Author 1946 Poetry
Honeymoon Garden Author 1947 Poetry
Six Years, Passed Author 1953 Poetry
Silent Return Author 1954 Poetry
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