Wife Beatrice Howard
Queer Places:
Metairie Cemetery
New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, USA
Thomas Farrar (1886 - June 10, 1951) was a set designer and theatrical effects man for the John Ringling North Circus and a member of a prominent Louisiana family. For many years he was associated with Norman Bel Geddes.
Thomas Prince Farrar was born at New Orleans, the son of Edgar Howard Farrar. He graduated from the Woodberry Forest School and studied architecture at Tulane University, in Paris and in Munich. He practiced architect in New Orleans. Later he lived at Biloxi where he did scenic painting and costume designs. In June 1933, he married Beatrice Howard. Farrar relocated to New York City and worked in theatre design until his death there in June 1951. Beatrice Farrar’s personal life was irregular. After she and Thomas, who was gay, were divorced, they continued to live together despite the disapproval of some in their circle, claiming that this arrangement suited them much better. According to one narrator, although the Farrars lived together amicably, they did not speak to each other except at cocktails and dinner, even during the long winter of 1937 in Cherry Grove, when they had Pa Case build Pride House.
As a designer of Broadway theatrical sets, Farrar created the scenic designs for such successful shows as "Michael and Mary", "Mrs Moonlight", and "The Dover Road." At the time of his death, he was the head designer for the Ringling Bros. circus.
He died in New York City after a brief illness.
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