Named for the actor Edwin Booth (1833-1893), brother to the infamous John Wilkes Booth, the venue was actually the second New York theater to bear this name. The first was built by Booth himself in 1869 on 23rd Street and 6th Avenue. Ames's father had been devoted to preserving the actor's legacy, so Winthrop's decision to name this theater after Booth honored not only the actor, but connected his own family's interest with the actor's rich theatrical history. Ames intended to present the most challenging and prestigious productions possible here.