Anthony J. Drexel Biddle
Encyclopedia
Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle I (1874–1948), also known as Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, Sr., was the man upon whom the book My Philadelphia Father and the play
and film
The Happiest Millionaire
were based. He was a fellow of the American Geographical Society
, was renowned as an eccentric
gentleman with his fortune allowing him full-time pursuits of theatricals, self-published writing, athletics, and Christianity; he also kept alligator
s as pets. He formed a movement called "Athletic Christianity" that eventually attracted 300,000 members around the world. A 1955 Sports Illustrated article called him "boxing's greatest amateur" as well as a "major factor in the re-establishment of boxing as a legal and, at that time, estimable sport."
An officer in the United States Marine Corps
, Biddle was an expert in close-quarters fighting and the author of Do or Die: A Supplementary Manual on Individual Combat, a book on combat methods, including knives and empty-hand skills, training both the United States Marine Corps
in two world wars and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
. He can be seen training Marines in the RKO short documentary Soldiers of the Sea
. He was considered not just an expert in fighting, but also as a pioneer of United States Marine Corps training in the bayonet and hand to hand combat. He based his style on fencing, though this approach was sometimes criticized as unrealistic for military combat. Having joined the Marines in 1917 at the age of 41, he also convinced his superiors to include boxing in Marine Corps recruit training. In 1919 he was promoted to the rank of major, and became a lieutenant colonel in 1934. To the consternation of his trainess, Biddle would face them unarmed, as they wielded bayonets, and order them to attempt to kill him. His worst injury from this tactic was a wrist cut that landed him in the hospital for two months. In Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
, right outside of Philadelphia, Biddle opened a military training facility, where he trained 4000 men. His training included long hours of calisthenics and gymnastics, and taught skills such as machete, saber, dagger, and bayonet combat, as well as hand grenade use and jiujitsu. He also served two years in the National Guard.
A keen boxer, Biddle sparred with Jack Johnson
and taught boxing to Gene Tunney
. He even hosted "boxing teas" in his home, where other boxers would spar a couple of rounds with him and then join the family for dinner.
A February 1909 match with Philadelphia Jack O'Brien
was attended by society leaders including women in elegant evening gown
s.
He served as a judge in the fight between Jack Dempsey
and Jess Willard
on July 4, 1919.
Biddle also worked in and on periodicals. He spent time as a sports reporter for the Public Ledger, and jokingly referred to himself as "the poorest and richest reporter in Philadelphia." He also revived the Philadelphia Sunday Graphic for a short space, before it was forced to fold, and founded a short-lived "society weekly"-type publication, The People. After organizing the also short-lived Drexel Biddle Publishing House, he acted as its head for two years.
He died May 27, 1948 from a cerebral hemorrhage brought on by uremic poisoning.
and Livingston Ludlow Biddle. His daughter, Cordelia Drexel Biddle, married Angier Buchanan Duke
, the son of Benjamin Newton Duke
. Cordelia Drexel Biddle worked with Kyle Crichton (father of Robert Crichton) to write a novel based on her family in 1955. In 1956 it was made into a play starring Walter Pidgeon
. In 1967 a musical film
based on the story, The Happiest Millionaire
, was the last to have personal involvement from Walt Disney
. Biddle was played by Fred MacMurray
in the film.
Play (theatre)
A play is a form of literature written by a playwright, usually consisting of scripted dialogue between characters, intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. There are rare dramatists, notably George Bernard Shaw, who have had little preference whether their plays were performed...
and film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
The Happiest Millionaire
The Happiest Millionaire
The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film starring Fred MacMurray and based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas. The musical song score is by Robert and Richard Sherman...
were based. He was a fellow of the American Geographical Society
American Geographical Society
The American Geographical Society is an organization of professional geographers, founded in 1851 in New York City. Most fellows of the society are Americans, but among them have always been a significant number of fellows from around the world...
, was renowned as an eccentric
Eccentricity (behavior)
In popular usage, eccentricity refers to unusual or odd behavior on the part of an individual. This behavior would typically be perceived as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably maladaptive...
gentleman with his fortune allowing him full-time pursuits of theatricals, self-published writing, athletics, and Christianity; he also kept alligator
Alligator
An alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. There are two extant alligator species: the American alligator and the Chinese alligator ....
s as pets. He formed a movement called "Athletic Christianity" that eventually attracted 300,000 members around the world. A 1955 Sports Illustrated article called him "boxing's greatest amateur" as well as a "major factor in the re-establishment of boxing as a legal and, at that time, estimable sport."
Biography
Born October 1, 1874, to Edward and Emily Drexel Biddle, into one of Pennsylvania's oldest families (William Biddle, Society of Friends member, left London for America in 1681), he married Cordelia Rundell Bradley in 1895. Biddle was a graduate of Germany's Heidleberg University.An officer in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, Biddle was an expert in close-quarters fighting and the author of Do or Die: A Supplementary Manual on Individual Combat, a book on combat methods, including knives and empty-hand skills, training both the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
in two world wars and Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
. He can be seen training Marines in the RKO short documentary Soldiers of the Sea
Soldiers of the Sea
Soldiers of the Sea is a 1939 RKO-Pathe News two-reeler short subject narrative featuring the U.S. Marine Corps.It was produced by Frederic Ullman Jr. and supervised by Frank Donovan. Through narration and film footage, the film shows and tells the history, mission statement, capabilities,...
. He was considered not just an expert in fighting, but also as a pioneer of United States Marine Corps training in the bayonet and hand to hand combat. He based his style on fencing, though this approach was sometimes criticized as unrealistic for military combat. Having joined the Marines in 1917 at the age of 41, he also convinced his superiors to include boxing in Marine Corps recruit training. In 1919 he was promoted to the rank of major, and became a lieutenant colonel in 1934. To the consternation of his trainess, Biddle would face them unarmed, as they wielded bayonets, and order them to attempt to kill him. His worst injury from this tactic was a wrist cut that landed him in the hospital for two months. In Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Lansdowne is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States located southwest of downtown Philadelphia. It was named for the Marquess of Lansdowne. The borough grew quickly in the early part of the twentieth century when a railroad stop was established near the intersection of...
, right outside of Philadelphia, Biddle opened a military training facility, where he trained 4000 men. His training included long hours of calisthenics and gymnastics, and taught skills such as machete, saber, dagger, and bayonet combat, as well as hand grenade use and jiujitsu. He also served two years in the National Guard.
A keen boxer, Biddle sparred with Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson (boxer)
John Arthur Johnson , nicknamed the “Galveston Giant,” was an American boxer. At the height of the Jim Crow era, Johnson became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion...
and taught boxing to Gene Tunney
Gene Tunney
James Joseph "Gene" Tunney was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1926-1928 who defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927. Tunney's successful title defense against Dempsey is one of the most famous bouts in boxing history and is known as The Long Count Fight...
. He even hosted "boxing teas" in his home, where other boxers would spar a couple of rounds with him and then join the family for dinner.
A February 1909 match with Philadelphia Jack O'Brien
Philadelphia Jack O'Brien
Joseph Francis Hagan was light heavyweight boxing champion of the world.-Biography:...
was attended by society leaders including women in elegant evening gown
Evening gown
An evening gown is a long flowing women's dress usually worn to a formal affair. It ranges from tea and ballerina to full-length. Evening gowns are often made of a luxury fabric such as chiffon, velvet, satin, or silk...
s.
He served as a judge in the fight between Jack Dempsey
Jack Dempsey
William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was an American boxer who held the world heavyweight title from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey's aggressive style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first...
and Jess Willard
Jess Willard
Jess Willard was a world heavyweight boxing champion. He won the heavyweight title from Jack Johnson in April 1915 and lost it to Jack Dempsey in July 1919....
on July 4, 1919.
Biddle also worked in and on periodicals. He spent time as a sports reporter for the Public Ledger, and jokingly referred to himself as "the poorest and richest reporter in Philadelphia." He also revived the Philadelphia Sunday Graphic for a short space, before it was forced to fold, and founded a short-lived "society weekly"-type publication, The People. After organizing the also short-lived Drexel Biddle Publishing House, he acted as its head for two years.
He died May 27, 1948 from a cerebral hemorrhage brought on by uremic poisoning.
Publications
Books written by Biddle include:- The Froggy Fairy Book (1896) and The Second Froggy Fairy Book (1900) publishing company
Legacy
His sons were Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, Jr.Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, Jr.
Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, Jr. , also known as A. J. Drexel Biddle, Jr. or Tony Biddle, was a wealthy socialite who became a diplomat of the United States, and served in the United States Army during World War I and after World War II, reaching the rank of major general.-Biography:Biddle was the...
and Livingston Ludlow Biddle. His daughter, Cordelia Drexel Biddle, married Angier Buchanan Duke
Angier Buchanan Duke
Angier Buchanan Duke was a Trustee of Duke University from 1914-1923, as well as vice president and president of the Alumni Association.-Biography:...
, the son of Benjamin Newton Duke
Benjamin Newton Duke
Benjamin Newton Duke was a U.S. tobacco, textile, energy industrialist and philanthropist.-Biography:...
. Cordelia Drexel Biddle worked with Kyle Crichton (father of Robert Crichton) to write a novel based on her family in 1955. In 1956 it was made into a play starring Walter Pidgeon
Walter Pidgeon
Walter Davis Pidgeon was a Canadian actor, who starred in many motion pictures, including Mrs...
. In 1967 a musical film
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
based on the story, The Happiest Millionaire
The Happiest Millionaire
The Happiest Millionaire is a 1967 musical film starring Fred MacMurray and based upon the true story of Philadelphia millionaire Anthony J. Drexel Biddle. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Costume Design by Bill Thomas. The musical song score is by Robert and Richard Sherman...
, was the last to have personal involvement from Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
. Biddle was played by Fred MacMurray
Fred MacMurray
Frederick Martin "Fred" MacMurray was an American actor who appeared in more than 100 movies and a successful television series during a career that spanned nearly a half-century, from 1930 to the 1970s....
in the film.
Further reading
- Washington Post; August 17, 1933 "Helen Avis Howard Engaged To Anthony J. Drexel, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Clinton Howard, of Atlanta, have announced the engagement of their daughter. Miss Helen Avis Howard, to Mr. Anthony Joseph Drexel 3d, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Joseph Drexel, Jr., of Philadelphia."
- TimeTime (magazine)Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
; June 4, 1948 "Died. Colonel Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, Sr., 73, muscular Christian, father of the wartime ambassador to the governments in exile; following a cerebral hemorrhage; in Syosset, N.Y. He founded the Drexel Biddle Bible Classes in 1907 (their curriculum of fighting-&-praying ultimately attracted 200,000 members), taught jujitsu and dirty fighting to Marines in both World War." - New York Times; October 14, 2004 "Nicholas Duke Biddle, 83, Scion of Wealth Who Helped the Poor. Nicholas Duke Biddle, scion of two prominent American families who helped refugees from Cuba and Caribbean, dies at age 83. Mr. Biddle was originally named Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle III, after his father, Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle Jr., a prominent diplomat."