Lee Simonson, theatrical set and costume designer, was born in New York City on June 26, 1888. He received a B.A. from Harvard in 1909 and served with the U.S. Army Corps of Interpreters during World War I.
From 1915 to 1916 he designed for the Washington Square Players, Inc., an organization from which the New York City Theatre Guild evolved. Simonson was a co-founder of the Guild (1919) and also served on its Board of Managers (1919-1940). During this time he created the sets and/or costumes for many of their productions such as Jane Clegg (1920), He Who Gets Slapped (1922), Elizabeth the Queen (1930), They Shall Not Die (1934), and Idiot's Delight (1936). His works for other managements include scenery for Virginia (1937), Lorelei (1938), The Streets Are Guarded (1944), Foxhole in the Parlor (1945); settings for Portrait in Black (1945); and settings, lighting, and costumes for Joan of Lorraine (1946).
In addition Simonson was a consulting designer and lectured at colleges and universities. His publications include The Stage Is Set (1932); an autobiography, Part of a Lifetime (1932); and The Art of Scenic Design (1950).
He died January 23, 1967 at the age of 78.
