 After finishing the 1859 – 1860 theatre season in Richmond , Virginia , Booth embarked on his first national tour as a leading actor . He engaged a Philadelphia attorney , Matthew Canning , to serve as his agent . By mid @-@ 1860 , he was playing in such cities as New York ; Boston ; Chicago ; Cleveland ; St. Louis ; Columbus , Georgia ; Montgomery , Alabama ; and New Orleans . Poet and journalist Walt Whitman said of Booth 's acting , " He would have flashes , passages , I thought of real genius . " The Philadelphia Press drama critic said , " Without having [ his brother ] Edwin 's culture and grace , Mr. Booth has far more action , more life , and , we are inclined to think , more natural genius . " 
