In a field that prides itself on accuracy in production, it took a woman to recognize the importance of organizing and conducting research to verify facts and figures. Forgotten today, Elizabeth McGaffey established the Lasky Feature Play Company’s library with only a handful of books in 1914, before gaining recognition as Hollywood’s top reference librarian in the 1920s.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, as Elizabeth Brock January 17, 1885, McGaffey apparently loved the arts, both written and performed, from a young age. One publicity story would claim that she attended St. Mary’s School in Knoxville, Tennessee and later worked writing features for the Chicago Inter-Ocean newspaper. I have found little on her life, but by 1903 she studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. She received a few good notices for performing in presentations by the school, including the one act play “The Interview” in 1903 and the large production “The Good Hope” in 1904. Over the next few years, Brock is listed as a member of the chorus in several large productions on Broadway, including The British themed “The Lady Shore” in 1905 where she plays Big Meg and a production of “The Time of Napoleon.”Her name disappeared from print at this point, with some later stories claiming she became a reader for theatrical production. Continue reading →