Her family resided in Cincinnati (1860 census)[full citation needed] with her Kentucky born father's profession being listed as a brush maker.

Her career began as a child actress, carried on as a baby in "The Sea of Ice", at the Robinson’s Opera House in her home city, Cincinnati.

[4] Atherton was discovered by Lydia Thompson, an English dancer, comedian, actress, and theatrical producer, who is recognized for introducing Victorian burlesque to the United States in August 1868, to great acclaim and notoriety.

In the summer of 1869 a wave of ‘anti-burlesque hysteria’ in the New York press frightened away the middle-class audiences that had initially been drawn to Ixion and sent the Thompson troupe prematurely packing on a tour around the United States and Canada.

[9][10][11] William Frederick Bryer (1846–1908), who went by the stage name of Willie Edouin[12] began a notable association with Lydia Thompson, playing with her burlesque troupe at Wood's Museum, New York, in October and November 1870.

He organized the entertainment "Dreams, or Fun in the Photograph Gallery," a piece that showed off her skill for impersonation and popularized the comic skit as a stage form.

[15][16] According to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, in NYC, which displays her cards, they were issued between 1880 and 1892 by Thomas H. Hall Tobacco, in order to promote stage actors between the acts as well as the brand called Bravo Cigarettes.

[22] On February 25, 1888, her husband began his first managerial period at the Royal Strand Theatre, producing "Katti, the Family Help", with both of them playing the lead characters.

Although Miss Atherton had been ill for three weeks her death was a shock to her friends, as her condition on Friday was so favorable that she expected to leave her bed tomorrow.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday from the Little Church Around the Corner”.The London Illustrated News[30] reported on February 11, 1899: The death from pneumonia of Miss Alice Atherton, who had been appearing with success in the New York Variety Halls is announced.

The news will be received with wide regret, especially by that narrowing circle of playgoers who remember this talented lady at her best--in the later years of the Byron-Farnie period.

Acting with her husband, Mr. Edouin, in Blue Beard, the Babes, and The Japs she showed remarkable vivacity as an actress, considerable gifts as a mimic, and the faculty of making the most of a song.The Times of India[31] announced on March 1, 1899: Playgoers and music-ball visitors will a like regret to learn that Miss Alice Atherton, the wife of Mr. Bryer, professionally known as Mr. Willie Edouin, died of pneumonia in New York after a very brief illness.The Aberdeen Evening Express, marked her passing with a brief obituary on February 6, 1899: Death of Miss Alice Atherton Playgoers and music-hall visitors will regret to learn that Miss Alice Atherton, the wife of Mr. Bryer, professionally known as Mr. Willie Edouin, died of pneumonia in New York on Saturday, after a very brief illness.”.Her body was taken to Evergreen Cemetery pending instructions from her husband who was in England at the time of her death.