Abby Aldrich Rockefeller

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller
source
Name	Abby Aldrich Rockefeller
Birth date	October 26, 1874
Birth place	Providence, Rhode Island
Death date	April 5, 1948
Death place	New York City
Occupation	Philanthropist, art collector
Spouse	John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Children	John D. Rockefeller III, Nelson Rockefeller, Laurance Rockefeller, Winthrop Rockefeller, David Rockefeller

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller was a prominent American philanthropist, art collector, and wife of John D. Rockefeller Jr., the son of John D. Rockefeller and Cettie Rockefeller. She was born in Providence, Rhode Island, to Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich and Abigail Pearce Truman Chapman Aldrich, and was raised in a family of politicians and businessmen, including her uncle, William P. Sheffield. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's upbringing and family connections would later influence her philanthropic efforts, particularly in her support for institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and the New York City Ballet. Her family's ties to Yale University and Harvard University also played a significant role in shaping her interests and charitable endeavors.

● Early Life and Education

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's early life was marked by privilege and exposure to the arts, with her family frequently visiting Europe and attending performances at the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Philharmonic. She was educated at Miss Spence's School for Girls in New York City, where she developed an interest in Impressionism and Modern art, inspired by artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Her family's summer home in Warwick, Rhode Island, designed by Frank Furness, was also a hub for artistic and intellectual gatherings, featuring guests like Theodore Roosevelt and Edith Wharton. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's education and upbringing laid the foundation for her future philanthropic work, particularly in the realm of arts and culture, with institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Guggenheim Museum benefiting from her support.

● Career and Philanthropy

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's philanthropic career spanned several decades and focused on supporting the arts, education, and healthcare, with organizations like the Rockefeller Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and the Ford Foundation benefiting from her involvement. She was a founding member of the Museum of Modern Art and served on its board of trustees, alongside notable figures like Alfred H. Barr Jr. and Nelson Rockefeller. Her support for the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre helped establish these institutions as premier dance companies, with choreographers like George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins contributing to their success. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's philanthropic efforts also extended to Harvard University, Yale University, and Columbia University, where she supported various initiatives and programs, including the Harvard Art Museums and the Yale University Art Gallery.

● Art Collection and Museum Involvement

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's art collection, which included works by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Vincent van Gogh, was renowned for its quality and scope, with many pieces eventually being donated to the Museum of Modern Art and other institutions, such as the National Gallery of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. Her involvement with the Museum of Modern Art helped shape its collection and exhibitions, with notable shows like the Armory Show and the Exhibition by 31 Women showcasing her commitment to Modern art and Feminist art. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's support for emerging artists, including Georgia O'Keeffe and Edward Hopper, also played a significant role in promoting American art, with institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art benefiting from her patronage.

● Personal Life and Family

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's personal life was marked by her marriage to John D. Rockefeller Jr. and her role as a mother to their six children, including John D. Rockefeller III, Nelson Rockefeller, Laurance Rockefeller, Winthrop Rockefeller, and David Rockefeller. Her family's summer home, Kykuit, designed by William Adams Delano and Chester Holmes Aldrich, was a hub for family gatherings and artistic events, featuring guests like Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's relationships with her children and their spouses, including Blanchette Ferry Hooker and Happy Rockefeller, were also significant, with many of them going on to become prominent figures in their own right, involved with institutions like the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Asia Society. Throughout her life, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller maintained strong ties to her family and their philanthropic legacy, with her own efforts building upon the foundation established by her husband and his family, including John D. Rockefeller and Laura Spelman Rockefeller.