Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt

Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt
José María Mora · Public domain · source
Name	Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt
Birth date	1845
Birth place	New York City
Death date	1934
Death place	New York City
Spouse	Cornelius Vanderbilt II
Children	Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt

Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt was a prominent American socialite and member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family, known for her philanthropic efforts and artistic pursuits. She was the wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a member of the New York Society, and a close friend of Edith Wharton and Henry James. Her life was marked by luxury and privilege, with residences in New York City, The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island, and Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. She was also acquainted with other notable figures, including J.P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, and John Jacob Astor IV.

● Early Life

Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt was born in New York City in 1845 to Julia Ann Lewis and Robert Lewis, a wealthy merchant. She grew up in a privileged environment, surrounded by the likes of Caroline Schermerhorn Astor and William Backhouse Astor Jr.. Her family was connected to other prominent families, including the Roosevelts and the Livingstons. She received a thorough education, studying at Miss Comstock's School and later at Madame Delacroix's School in Paris, where she befriended Isabella Stewart Gardner and Henry Adams. Her early life was also influenced by her relationships with Theodore Roosevelt and Elihu Root.

● Marriage and Family

In 1867, Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt married Cornelius Vanderbilt II, a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family. The couple had four children: Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, and Gladys Vanderbilt Széchenyi. Her husband was a prominent figure in New York Society, and the couple was known for their lavish parties and social events, often attended by Oscar Wilde, Lillian Russell, and Diamond Jim Brady. They were also close friends of William Kissam Vanderbilt and Florence Adele Vanderbilt Twombly. The family's social circle included other notable figures, such as Chauncey Depew and Stuyvesant Fish.

● Social Life and Philanthropy

Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt was a prominent figure in New York Society, known for her philanthropic efforts and charitable work. She was a supporter of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York Public Library, and was also involved with the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army. She was friends with other notable socialites, including Mrs. Oelrichs and Mamie Fish, and was often seen at social events, such as the Newport Mansions and the New York Yacht Club. Her philanthropic work was also influenced by her relationships with Jane Addams and Jacob Riis. She was also acquainted with other prominent philanthropists, including John D. Rockefeller and Carnegie Corporation of New York.

● Artistic Pursuits

Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt was a talented artist and patron of the arts. She was a supporter of the Art Students League of New York and the National Academy of Design, and was also a collector of art, with a particular interest in the works of John Singer Sargent and James McNeill Whistler. She was friends with other artists, including Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas, and was often seen at art exhibitions and events, such as the Armory Show and the Salon des Indépendants. Her artistic pursuits were also influenced by her relationships with Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. She was also acquainted with other notable art collectors, including J.P. Morgan and Henry Clay Frick.

● Later Life and Legacy

Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt lived a long and fulfilling life, passing away in 1934 at the age of 89. Her legacy is remembered through her philanthropic efforts and artistic pursuits, as well as her role as a prominent figure in New York Society. She was a member of the Colonial Dames of America and the Daughters of the American Revolution, and was also a supporter of the New York Historical Society and the Museum of the City of New York. Her life and legacy continue to be celebrated, with her name often mentioned alongside other notable women, such as Clara Barton and Susan B. Anthony. She is also remembered for her relationships with other notable figures, including Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Category:American socialites