Alice Claypoole Gwynne
Encyclopedia
Alice Claypoole Gwynne Vanderbilt (1845 – 1934) was the wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt II
and reigned as the dowager Mrs. Vanderbilt for over 60 years.
, she was the daughter of Abraham Gwynne, a lawyer, and Rachel Flagg. Alice Claypoole Gwynne met the pious Vanderbilt while teaching Sunday school at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. They married there in 1867. She and her husband had four sons and three daughters.
Alice was responsible for constructing several massive family houses, including the enlargement of 1 West 57th Street, making it the largest private residence to ever be built in an American city. She also played a role in constructing the massive summer "cottage", The Breakers
, in Newport, Rhode Island
. Her affection to Newport was as such because many of her earliest colonial ancestors were from the city. An early ancestor was Roger Williams
, who founded the State of Rhode Island as well as former Rhode Island Governor Samuel Ward
. Many Flagg family members are buried in Newport's Island Cemetery.
In 1914, she was responsible for the construction of the Gwynne Building in Cincinnati, Ohio
, site of the first shop of Procter & Gamble
, later the company's headquarters.
Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt died in New York City
at the age of 89 in 1934. Gladys Moore Vanderbilt Széchenyi inherited both The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island
, and her mother's second New York townhouse located at 1 East 67th Street (the former George J. Gould residence). Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney received the proceeds from the sale of 1 West 57th Street (sold in 1925) totaling $7,000,000 while son Cornelius III received ownership of the Gwynne Building in Cincinnati, Ohio
.
, Salvation Army
, Red Cross, Trinity Church and St. Bartholomew's Church. She and her husband donated Vanderbilt Hall to Yale College
in memory of their son, William, a student there when he died in 1892. She gave the front gates to her former mansion on Fifth Avenue to be placed in Central Park
. Mrs. Vanderbilt also donated a facility to Newport Hospital
in 1903 in memory of her husband, Cornelius.
Cornelius Vanderbilt II
Cornelius Vanderbilt II was an American socialite, heir, businessman, and a member of the prominent United States Vanderbilt family....
and reigned as the dowager Mrs. Vanderbilt for over 60 years.
Biography
Born and raised in Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, she was the daughter of Abraham Gwynne, a lawyer, and Rachel Flagg. Alice Claypoole Gwynne met the pious Vanderbilt while teaching Sunday school at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. They married there in 1867. She and her husband had four sons and three daughters.
Alice was responsible for constructing several massive family houses, including the enlargement of 1 West 57th Street, making it the largest private residence to ever be built in an American city. She also played a role in constructing the massive summer "cottage", The Breakers
The Breakers
The Breakers is a Vanderbilt mansion located on Ochre Point Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island, United States on the Atlantic Ocean. It is a National Historic Landmark, a contributing property to the Bellevue Avenue Historic District, and is owned and operated by the Preservation Society of Newport...
, in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
. Her affection to Newport was as such because many of her earliest colonial ancestors were from the city. An early ancestor was Roger Williams
Roger Williams (theologian)
Roger Williams was an English Protestant theologian who was an early proponent of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636, he began the colony of Providence Plantation, which provided a refuge for religious minorities. Williams started the first Baptist church in America,...
, who founded the State of Rhode Island as well as former Rhode Island Governor Samuel Ward
Samuel Ward
Samuel Ward was a farmer, politician, colonial Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and a delegate to the Continental Congress. The son of an earlier Rhode Island Governor, Richard Ward, he was well educated as he grew up in a large Newport, Rhode Island family...
. Many Flagg family members are buried in Newport's Island Cemetery.
In 1914, she was responsible for the construction of the Gwynne Building in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, site of the first shop of Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
, later the company's headquarters.
Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
at the age of 89 in 1934. Gladys Moore Vanderbilt Széchenyi inherited both The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, and her mother's second New York townhouse located at 1 East 67th Street (the former George J. Gould residence). Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney received the proceeds from the sale of 1 West 57th Street (sold in 1925) totaling $7,000,000 while son Cornelius III received ownership of the Gwynne Building in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
.
Philanthropy
Alice Vanderbilt donated to various charitable causes. Throughout her life she was a large supporter of the YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
, Red Cross, Trinity Church and St. Bartholomew's Church. She and her husband donated Vanderbilt Hall to Yale College
Yale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
in memory of their son, William, a student there when he died in 1892. She gave the front gates to her former mansion on Fifth Avenue to be placed in Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
. Mrs. Vanderbilt also donated a facility to Newport Hospital
Newport Hospital
Newport Hospital is a private, not-for-profit hospital located in Newport, Rhode Island. Together with The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital, Newport Hospital is a member of the Lifespan health system.-History:...
in 1903 in memory of her husband, Cornelius.
Children of Alice and Cornelius Vanderbilt
- Alice Vanderbilt (1869-1874)
- William Henry Vanderbilt II (1870-1892)
- Cornelius Vanderbilt IIICornelius Vanderbilt IIICornelius Vanderbilt III was a distinguished American military officer, inventor, engineer, and yachtsman, and a member of the prominent American Vanderbilt family.-Biography:...
(1873-1942) - Gertrude VanderbiltGertrude Vanderbilt WhitneyGertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was an American sculptor, art patron and collector, and founder in 1931 of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City...
(1875-1942) - Alfred Gwynne VanderbiltAlfred Gwynne VanderbiltAlfred Gwynne Vanderbilt I was an extremely wealthy sportsman and a member of the famous Vanderbilt family of philanthropists. He died on the .-Life:...
(1877-1915) - Reginald Claypoole VanderbiltReginald Claypoole VanderbiltReginald Claypoole Vanderbilt was a millionaire equestrian and the father of Gloria Vanderbilt. He was the founder and president of many equestrian organizations.-Biography:...
(1880-1925), maternal grandfather of journalist Anderson CooperAnderson CooperAnderson Hays Cooper is an American journalist, author, and television personality. He is the primary anchor of the CNN news show Anderson Cooper 360°. The program is normally broadcast live from a New York City studio; however, Cooper often broadcasts live on location for breaking news stories... - Gladys Moore VanderbiltGladys Vanderbilt SzéchenyiGladys Vanderbilt Széchenyi was an American heiress from the prominent United States Vanderbilt family, and the wife of a Hungarian count.-Family background:...
(1886-1965) who married Count László SzéchenyiLászló SzéchenyiCount László Széchenyi de Sárvár-felsővidék , Austro Hungarian military officer, Imperial Chamberlain, diplomat, venture capitalist. He was son of count Imre Széchenyi de Sárvár-felsővidék and countess Alexandrina Sztáray-Szirmay de Sztára, Nagymihály, Csernek, Tarkeö, Szirma et Szirmabessenyő...
See also
- Vanderbilt familyVanderbilt familyThe Vanderbilt family is an American family of Dutch origin prominent during the Gilded Age. It started off with the shipping and railroad empires of Cornelius Vanderbilt, and expanded into various other areas of industry and philanthropy...