The Four Hundred (Gilded Age)

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Portrait of Mrs. Astor by Carolus-Duran, in Paris 1890. This painting was placed prominently in Astor's house; she would stand in front of it when receiving guests for receptions. Today, it is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Carolus-Duran 001.jpg
Portrait of Mrs. Astor by Carolus-Duran, in Paris 1890. This painting was placed prominently in Astor's house; she would stand in front of it when receiving guests for receptions. Today, it is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Four Hundred was a list of New York society during the Gilded Age, a group that was led by Caroline Schermerhorn Astor, the "Mrs. Astor", for many years. After her death, her role in society was filled by three women: Mamie Fish, Theresa Fair Oelrichs, and Alva Belmont, [2] known as the "triumvirate" of American society. [3]

Contents

On February 16, 1892, The New York Times published the "official" list of those included in the Four Hundred as dictated by social arbiter Ward McAllister, Astor's friend and confidant, in response to lists proffered by others, and after years of clamoring by the press to know who was on it. [4] [5]

History

In the decades following the American Civil War, the population of New York City grew almost exponentially, and immigrants and wealthy arrivistes from the Midwestern United States began challenging the dominance of the old New York Establishment. [6] Aided by McAllister, Astor [lower-alpha 1] attempted to codify proper behavior and etiquette, as well as determine who was acceptable among the arrivistes, [8] as champions of old money and tradition. [6]

Reportedly, Ward McAllister coined the phrase "the Four Hundred" by declaring that there were "only 400 people in fashionable New York Society." [9] According to him, this was the number of people in New York who really mattered; the people who felt at ease in the ballrooms of high society. [10] In 1888, McAllister told the New-York Tribune that "If you go outside that number," he warned, "you strike people who are either not at ease in a ballroom or else make other people not at ease." [11]

While the number four hundred has popularly been linked to the capacity of Caroline Schermerhorn Astor's ballroom at her large brownstone home at 350 Fifth Avenue and East 34th Street (today the site of the Empire State Building), [12] [13] the exact origins remain unknown. [14] There were other lists in New York around the same time which necessitated a maximum capacity of four hundred, including Delmonico's restaurant and local cotillion dances, that may have contributed to the particular sum of four hundred. [15]

February 1892 list

"Snobbish Society's Schoolmaster." Caricature of Ward McAllister as an ass telling Uncle Sam he must imitate "an English snob of the 19th century" or he "will nevah be a gentleman". Published in Judge, November 8, 1890. Ward McAllister caricature.jpg
"Snobbish Society's Schoolmaster." Caricature of Ward McAllister as an ass telling Uncle Sam he must imitate "an English snob of the 19th century" or he "will nevah be a gentleman". Published in Judge , November 8, 1890.

In response to competing lists naming the purported members of New York society published in the New York World that insisted New York society was, in fact, made up of only 150 people, [16] McAllister spoke with the Times, refuting the World article and giving the paper the "official list", which was published on February 16, 1892, and quoted McAllister stating:

The so-called Four Hundred has not been cut down or dwindled to 150 names. The nonsense, don't you know, printed to that effect in the World and some other papers, has made a very bad impression that will reflect badly against them, you understand. That list of names, you understand, printed on Sunday, did not come from me, don't you see. It is unauthorized, don't you see. But it is accurate as far as it goes, you understand.

It is incomplete and does injustice, you understand, to many eligible millionaires. Think of leaving out such names, don't you know, as Chauncey M. Depew, Gen. Alexander S. Webb, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Kountze, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Goelet, Mr. and Miss Wilson, Miss Greene, and many others! Don't you understand, it is absurd, senseless.

Let me explain, don't you know. There are three dinner dances, don't you know, during the season, and the invitations, don't you see, are issued to different ladies and gentlemen each time, do you understand? So at each dinner dance, you know, are only 150 people of the highest set, don't you know. So, during the season, you see, 400 different invitations are issued.

Wait a moment and I will give you a correct list, don't you know, of the people who form what is known as the Four Hundred. Do you understand it will be authorized, reliable, and, don't you know, the only correct list. [4]

The list, purported to include the crème de la crème of New York society, consisted largely of "bankers, lawyers, brokers, real estate men, and railroaders, with one editor (Paul Dana of The New York Sun ), one publisher, one artist, and two architects." [7] It also included a mix of both "Nobs" and "Swells". [17] "Nobs" came from old money (including the Astors, the Goelets, the Livingstons, and the Van Rensselaers), and "Swells" were representatives of the nouveau riche, whom Astor felt, begrudgingly, were able to partake in polite society (best personified by the Vanderbilt family). [17]

Criticism and backlash

"The European Svengali and the trilbys of the 'Four Hundred' - He hypnotizes 'em every time!" Illustration published in Puck, October 2, 1895. The European Svengali and the trilbys of the "four hundred" - he hypnotizes 'em every time! - Ehrhart. LCCN2012648567.jpg
"The European Svengali and the trilbys of the 'Four Hundred' – He hypnotizes 'em every time!" Illustration published in Puck, October 2, 1895.

After McAllister released the names of the Four Hundred in The New York Times, there was significant backlash, both against the idea of a definitive list of "acceptable society" and McAllister himself. [18] [19] The papers dubbed him "Mr. Make-a-Lister" and, in combination with his memoirs published in 1890, entitled Society as I Have Found It, [20] further ostracized him from the "old guard", who valued their privacy in an era when the leaders of society were the equivalent of modern movie stars. [15] William d'Alton Mann, who owned Town Topics , a gossip magazine, considered it his duty to expose the sins of society and regularly criticized the Four Hundred. [19]

Several years later, author O. Henry released a collection of short stories, entitled The Four Million , a reaction to this phrase, expressing his opinion that every human being in New York was worthy of notice. [21]

In 2009, the Museum of the City of New York compiled its own list, entitled "The New York City 400", of the 400 "movers and shakers" who made a difference in the 400 years of New York City history since Henry Hudson arrived in 1609. McAllister was "the only person on the original Four Hundred to also make the museum's list." [22]

Named members

Photograph of Alva Smith Vanderbilt at her 1883 Ball as "Venetian Renaissance Lady". Alva, the first wife of William Kissam Vanderbilt and second wife of Oliver Belmont, was one of Astor's successors. Photographed by Jose Maria Mora. Alva Vanderbilt 1883 Costume Ball.jpg
Photograph of Alva Smith Vanderbilt at her 1883 Ball as "Venetian Renaissance Lady". Alva, the first wife of William Kissam Vanderbilt and second wife of Oliver Belmont, was one of Astor's successors. Photographed by José Maria Mora.
Photograph of Mamie Fish, the wife of Stuyvesant Fish, and one of Astor's successors. Marion Graves Anthon Fish.jpg
Photograph of Mamie Fish, the wife of Stuyvesant Fish, and one of Astor's successors.
Portrait of Elizabeth Astor Winthrop Chanler, by John Singer Sargent, 1893. Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler.JPG
Portrait of Elizabeth Astor Winthrop Chanler, by John Singer Sargent, 1893.
Photograph of Chauncey Depew, U.S. Senator and president of the Vanderbilt's New York Central Railroad, c. 1908. CMDepew.jpg
Photograph of Chauncey Depew, U.S. Senator and president of the Vanderbilt's New York Central Railroad, c.1908.
Frank Gray Griswold, financier and writer, 1908. Frank Gray Griswold.jpg
Frank Gray Griswold, financier and writer, 1908.
Julia Dent Grant, who married Prince Mikhail Cantacuzene in 1899, was the daughter of Frederick Dent Grant and granddaughter of U.S. President Ulysses S Grant. Photo taken in 1904. Julia Cantacuzina.jpg
Julia Dent Grant, who married Prince Mikhail Cantacuzène in 1899, was the daughter of Frederick Dent Grant and granddaughter of U.S. President Ulysses S Grant. Photo taken in 1904.
Photograph of William Kissam Vanderbilt, first husband of Alva Smith Vanderbilt. W.K. Vanderbilt LCCN2014685935 (2) (cropped).jpg
Photograph of William Kissam Vanderbilt, first husband of Alva Smith Vanderbilt.
Photograph of Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt, wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, at Alva's 1883 Ball as 'Electric Light'. Gown by Charles Frederick Worth. Photographed by Jose Maria Mora. Mrs Vanderbilt ElectricLight.jpg
Photograph of Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt, wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, at Alva's 1883 Ball as 'Electric Light'. Gown by Charles Frederick Worth. Photographed by José Maria Mora.
Portrait of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, husband of Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt, by John Singer Sargent, 1890. Cornelius Vanderbilt II by John Singer Sargent (1856-1925).jpg
Portrait of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, husband of Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt, by John Singer Sargent, 1890.
Portrait of Ruth Livingston Mills, wife of Ogden Mills, by Francois Glamony. Ruth Livingston Mills.jpg
Portrait of Ruth Livingston Mills, wife of Ogden Mills, by Francois Glamony.
A miniature portrait of Cornelia Sherman Martin, wife of Bradley Martin, who threw the infamous Bradley-Martin Ball in 1897. MrsBradleyMartincameo.jpg
A miniature portrait of Cornelia Sherman Martin, wife of Bradley Martin, who threw the infamous Bradley-Martin Ball in 1897.
Photograph of Frances Ellen Work, the former wife of James Roche, 3rd Baron Fermoy, c. 1910-1915. Frances Work 2163454306 8fa8ee30e6 o.jpg
Photograph of Frances Ellen Work, the former wife of James Roche, 3rd Baron Fermoy, c. 1910–1915.
Portrait of Emily Thorn Vanderbilt, wife of businessman William Douglas Sloane, by Benjamin Curtis Porter, 1888. Emily Thorn Vanderbilt Sloane White.jpg
Portrait of Emily Thorn Vanderbilt, wife of businessman William Douglas Sloane, by Benjamin Curtis Porter, 1888.
Portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Anson Phelps Stokes, a merchant and banker, by Cecilia Beaux c. 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Anson Phelps Stokes MET DT236883.jpg
Portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Anson Phelps Stokes, a merchant and banker, by Cecilia Beaux c.1898.
Portrait of Florence Adele Vanderbilt Twombly, wife of Hamilton McKown Twombly, by John Singer Sargent, 1890. Mrs. Hamilton McKown Twombly (Florence Adele Vanderbilt).jpg
Portrait of Florence Adele Vanderbilt Twombly, wife of Hamilton McKown Twombly, by John Singer Sargent, 1890.
Portrait of George Washington Vanderbilt II, builder of the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, by John Singer Sargent, 1890. George Washington Vanderbilt.jpg
Portrait of George Washington Vanderbilt II, builder of the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, by John Singer Sargent, 1890.
Photograph of William Collins Whitney, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy (during the Cleveland administration), c. 1892 photographed by Charles Milton Bell. William Collins Whitney by Charles Milton Bell c1892.jpg
Photograph of William Collins Whitney, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy (during the Cleveland administration), c.1892 photographed by Charles Milton Bell.
Mrs. Henry Isaac Lorillard Barbey. By Wilhelm Heinrich Funk, 1904. Mrs. Henry Isaac Barbey-Lorillard.png
Mrs. Henry Isaac Lorillard Barbey. By Wilhelm Heinrich Funk, 1904.

Besides containing far fewer than 400 people, McAllister's list "abounded in inaccuracies: names were misspelled or incomplete and many spouses omitted or included although they were dead." [23] The rules of the time dictated that "only the eldest unmarried daughter of a family carried the title 'Miss,' with no given name," but he regularly ignored the rule. [23]

No.Name as it appears in article [4] Full name [23]
1, 2Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Appleton Francis R. Appleton
Fanny Lanier Appleton
3Fred H. Allen Frederick Hobbes Allen
4, 5Mr. and Mrs. Astor William Backhouse Astor Jr.
Caroline Schermerhorn Astor
6, 7Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Astor John Jacob Astor IV [lower-alpha 2]
Ava Lowle Willing
8, 9Mr. and Mrs. George H. Bend George H. Bend
Elizabeth Austen Townsend Bend
10Miss Amy Bend Amy Bend
11Miss Beatrice Bend Beatrice Bend
12, 13Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Bryce Lloyd Bryce
Edith Cooper Bryce
14Mrs. Cavendish Bentinck Elizabeth Livingston Cavendish-Bentinck [lower-alpha 3]
15, 16Mr. and Mrs. F. Bronson Frederic Bronson
Sarah Gracie King Bronson
17Heber Bishop Heber Reginald Bishop
18Miss Bishop Mary Cunningham Bishop
19William Harold Brown William Harold Brown
20, 21Mr. and Mrs. Edmund N. Baylies Edmund L. Baylies
Louisa Van Rensselaer Baylies
22Mr. Temple Bowdoin Temple Bowdoin
23, 24Mr. and Mrs. J. Townsend Burden I. Townsend Burden
Evelyn Byrd Moale Burden
25Miss Burden Evelyn B. Burden
26Mrs. Barbey Mary Lorillard Barbey
27Miss Barbey Eva Barbey
28Harold Brown Harold Brown
29Edward Bulkley Edward H. Bulkeley
30, 31Mr. and Mrs. James L. Barclay James Lent Barclay
Olivia Bell Barclay
32C. C. Baldwin C.C. Baldwin
33Miss Baldwin Louise Roman Baldwin
34C. C. Baldwin Jr. C.C. Baldwin, Jr.
35, 36Gen. and Mrs. Henry L. Burnett Henry Lawrence Burnett
Agnes Suffern Tailer Burnett
37Mr. Thomas Cushing Thomas Forbes Cushing
38Miss Edith Cushing Edith Howard Cushing
39Mr. F. Bayard Cutting Robert Bayard Cutting
40Miss Coster Martha Ellery Coster
41Mr. Harry Coster Harry Coster
Mary Lee Coles Coster
42, 43Mr. and Mrs. Charles Carroll Charles Carroll
Suzanne Bancroft Carroll
44, 45Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Cary Clarence Cary
Elisabeth Miller Potter Cary
46, 47Mr. and Mrs. Winthrop Chandler Winthrop Astor Chanler
Margaret Terry Chanler
48Mrs. Brockholst Cutting Marion Ramsay Cutting
49, 50Mr. and Mrs. Harry Cannon Henry White Cannon
Jennie Curtis Cannon
51Robert L. Cutting Jr. Robert Livingston Cutting Jr.
52Col. J. Schuyler Crosby John Schuyler Crosby
53Miss Crosby Angelica Schuyler Crosby
54, 55Mr. and Mrs. W. Bayard Cutting William Bayard Cutting
Olivia Peyton Murray Cutting
56, 57Mr. and Mrs. S. V. R. Cruger Stephen Van Rensselaer Cruger
Julia Grinnell Storrow Cruger
58Rawlings Cottenet Rawlins Lowndes Cottenet
59F. Brockholst Cutting F. Brockholst Cutting
60W. Cutting Jr. William Bayard Cutting, Jr.
61Sir Roderick Cameron Sir Roderick Cameron
62Duncan Cameron Duncan Ewen Cameron
63, 64The Misses Cameron Catherine Natalie Cameron
Anne Fleming Cameron
65, 66Mr. and Mrs. James Cross Richard James Cross
Annie Redmond Cross
67, 68Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cooper Edward Cooper
Cornelia Redmond Cooper
69, 70, 71The Misses Chanler Elizabeth Astor Winthrop Chanler
Margaret Livingston Chanler
Alida Beekman Chanler
72William R. Coster William B. Coster
Maria Griswold Gray Coster
73, 74Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Dyer Jr. Elisha Dyer III
Sidney Turner Swan Dyer
75, 76Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Elliot Duncan Elliot
Sallie Hargous Elliot
77, 78Mr. and Mrs. George B. De Forest George Beach de Forest Jr.
Anita Hargous de Forest
79, 80Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey M. Depew Chauncey Depew
Elise Hegeman Depew
81, 82Mr. and Mrs. Frederic de Peyster Frederic James de Peyster
Augusta McEvers Morris de Peyster
83, 84Dr. and Mrs. Francis Delafield Francis Delafield
Katherine Van Rensselaer Delafield
85Miss Delafield Elizabeth Ray Delafield
86, 87Mr. and Mrs. Paul Dana Paul Dana
Mary Butler Duncan Dana
88H. De Courcy Forbes H. De Courcy Forbes
89, 90Mr. and Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish Stuyvesant Fish
Marion Graves Anthon Fish
91, 92Mr. and Mrs. C. G. Francklyn Charles G. Francklyn
Susan Sprague Hoyt Francklyn
93J. C. Furman John C. Furman
94, 95Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Fish Jr. Hamilton Fish, Jr.
Emily Mann Fish
96Theodore Frelinghuysen Theodore Frelinghuysen
97Augustus C. Gurnee Augustus C. Gurnee
98, 99Mr. and Mrs. Ogden Goelet Ogden Goelet
Mary Wilson Goelet
100Mr. Frank G. Griswold Frank Gray Griswold
101Miss Greene Anne Dunkin Greene
102Mr. Allister Greene Alister Greene
103Miss Grant Julia Grant
104Robert F. Hawkes Robert Forbes Hawkes
105, 106Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Howard Thomas Howard
Rose Post Howard
107, 108Mr. and Mrs. Carly Havemeyer Charles Frederick Havemeyer
Camilla Woodward Moss Havemeyer
109Meredith Howland Meredith Howland
110, 111Mr. and Mrs. Valentine G. Hall Valentine Hall Jr.
Mary Livingston Ludlow Hall
112Miss Hall Elizabeth Livingston Hall
113John A. Hadden Jr. John A. Hadden Jr.
114, 115Mr. and Mrs. Columbus Iselin Columbus Iselin
Edith Colford Jones Iselin
116Isaac Iselin Isaac Iselin
117Mrs. William Jaffray Helen Smythe Jaffray
118Miss Jaffray Helen Frances Jaffray
119Mrs. F. R. Jones Mary Cadwalader Rawle Jones
120Miss Beatrix Jones Beatrix Cadwalader Jones
121Shipley Jones Shipley Jones
122, 123Mr. and Mrs. DeLancey Kane DeLancey Astor Kane
Eleanora Iselin Kane
124Nicholas Kane Samuel Nicholson Kane
125Miss Knowlton Mary Knowlton
126Miss Sybel Kane Sybil Kane
127, 128Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Kernochan James Powell Kernochan
Catherine Lorillard Kernochan
129, 130Col. and Mrs. Kip Lawrence Kip
Eva Lorillard Kip
131Miss Kipp Edith Kip
132, 133Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Kernochan J. Frederic Kernochan
Mary Stuart Whitney Kernochan
134Miss Lusk Anna Hartwell Lusk
135Arthur Leary Arthur Leary
136Mrs. Maturin Livingston Ruth Baylies Livingston
137, 138Mr. and Mrs. James Lanier James F. D. Lanier
Harriet Bishop Lanier
139, 140Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Livingston Henry B. Livingston
Frances Redmond Livingston
141Edward Livingston Edward Livingston
142Miss Clarissa Livingston Clarisse Livingston
143Edward De Peyster Livingston Edward De Peyster Livingston
144, 145Mr. and Mrs. Clement C. Moore Clement Clarke Moore
Laura Williams Moore
146Ward McAllister Ward McAllister
147, 148Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Marshall Charles Henry Marshall
Josephine Banks Marshall
149Clement March Clement March
150, 151Mr. and Mrs. O. Mills Ogden Mills
Ruth Livingston Mills
152, 153Mr. and Mrs. B. Martin Bradley Martin
Cornelia Sherman Martin
154F. T. Martin Frederick Townsend Martin
155Peter Marié Peter Marié
156, 157Mr. and Mrs. H. W. McVickar Harry Whitney McVickar
Maud Robbins McVickar
158, 159Mr. and Mrs. A. N. Morris Augustus Newbold Morris
Eleanor Colford Jones Morris
160Miss Morris Eva Van Cortlandt Morris
161, 162Mr. and Mrs. R. Mortimer Richard Mortimer
Eleanor Jay Chapman Mortimer
163Miss Morgan Anne Morgan
164, 165Mr. and Mrs. T. Newbold Thomas Newbold
Sarah Lawrence Coolidge Newbold
166Mrs. Frederick Nelson Isabelle Gebhard Neilson
167S. H. Olin Stephen H. Olin
168, 169Mr. and Mrs. C. Oelrichs Charles May Oelrichs
Blanche de Loosey Oelrichs
170James Otis James Otis
171Miss Otis Sarah Birdsall Otis
172Edward Post Edward C. Post
173Richard Peters Richard Peters
174, 175Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Porter Benjamin Curtis Porter
Mary Clark Porter
176, 177Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pendelton Francis Key Pendleton
Elizabeth La Montagne Pendleton
178Julian Potter Julian Potter
179I. V. Packer James Vanderburgh Parker
180, 181Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Potter Howard Nott Potter
Ethel Potter
182, 183Gen. and Mrs. Pierson John Frederick Pierson
Susan Augusta Rhodes Pierson
184Miss Pierson Marguerite Pierson Hull
185, 186Mr. and Mrs. George B. Post George Browne Post
Alice Stone Post
187Mrs. William H. Perry Constance Frink Perry
188Miss Perry Bertha Perry Ronalds
189Goold H. Redmond Goold H. Redmond
190Mrs. Rogers Susan LeRoy Fish Rogers
191Miss Rogers Julia Fish Rogers
192J. Ritchie J. Wadsworth Ritchie
193T. J. Oakley Rhinelander Thomas Jackson Oakley Rhinelander
194Miss Cora Randolph Cora Randolph Trimble
195Mrs. Burke Roche Frances Burke Roche
196, 197Mr. and Mrs. S. O. Ripley Sidney Dillon Ripley
Mary Hyde Ripley
198D. T. L. Robinson Douglas Robinson Sr.
199R. K. Richards Robert Kerr Richards
200, 201Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Robinson Jr. Douglas Robinson Jr.
Corinne Roosevelt Robinson
202, 203Mr. and Mrs. H. Robins Henry Asher Robbins
Lizzie Pelham Bend Robbins
204Miss Sands Edith Cruger Sands
205, 206Mr. and Mrs. William D. Sloane William Douglas Sloane
Emily Thorn Vanderbilt Sloane
207, 208Mr. and Mrs. Philip Schuyler Philip Schuyler
Harriet Lowndes Langdon Schuyler
209, 210Mr. and Mrs. Byam K. Stevens Byam K. Stevens
Eliza Langdon Wilks Stevens
211Lispenard Stewart Lispenard Stewart, Jr.
212, 213Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Sherman William Watts Sherman
Sophia Augusta Brown Sherman
214Miss Adele Sloane Florence Adele Sloane
215, 216Mr. and Mrs. Anson Phelps Stokes Anson Phelps Stokes
Helen Phelps Stokes
217Miss Stokes Olivia Egleston Phelps Stokes
218, 219Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Suydam Walter Lispenard Suydam
Jane Mesier Suydam
220, 221Mr. and Mrs. F. K. Sturgis Frank K. Sturgis
Florence Lydig Sturgis
222Miss Elizabeth Stevens Elizabeth Callendar Stevens
223G. Mead Tooker Gabriel Mead Tooker
224Miss Tooker Charlotte Tooker Warren
225E. N. Tailer Edward Neufville Tailer
226, 227Mr. and Mrs. H. McKay Twombly Hamilton McKown Twombly
Florence Vanderbilt Twombly
228Miss Tailer Fannie Bogert Tailer
229Marquise de Talleyrand Elizabeth de Talleyrand-Périgord
230Miss Mabel Van Rensselaer Mabel Van Rensselaer
231Miss Alice Van Rensselaer Alice Van Rensselaer
232, 233Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Cornelius Vanderbilt II
Alice Claypoole Gwynne Vanderbilt
234George W. Vanderbilt George W. Vanderbilt
235Mrs. A. Van Rensselaer Louisa Barnewall Van Rensselaer
236James Varnum James Varnum
237Mr. Worthington Whitehouse Worthington Whitehouse
238, 239Mr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb William Seward Webb
Eliza Osgood Vanderbilt Webb
240Barton Willing John Rhea Barton Willing
241Miss Willing Susan Ridgway Willing
242, 243Gov. and Mrs. Wetmore George Peabody Wetmore
Edith Keteltas Wetmore
244Miss Wetmore Edith M. Keteltas Wetmore
245Egerton Winthrop Egerton Leigh Winthrop
246Thomas C. Winthrop Thomas C. Winthrop
247F. B. Winthrop Bronson Winthrop
248, 249Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan Winthrop Buchanan Winthrop
Sarah Townsend Winthrop
250Miss Winthrop Marie Austen Winthrop
251, 252Mr. and Mrs. Ben. Wells Benjamin Welles
Frances Wyeth Swan Welles
253, 254Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Whitney William Collins Whitney
Flora Payne Whitney
255Miss Georgiana L. Wilmerding Georgiana L. Wilmerding
256Mrs. C. A. Whittier Elizabeth Chadwick Whittier
257, 258Mr. and Mrs. Wysong John J. Wysong
Martha Marshall Wysong
259M. A. Wilkes Matthew Astor Wilks
260, 261Mr. and Mrs. W. Storrs Wells William Storrs Wells
Anna Cole Raynor Wells
262, 263Gen. and Mrs. Alexander S. Webb Alexander S. Webb
Anna Remsen Webb
264Miss Carrie Webb Caroline LeRoy Webb
265Alexander S. Webb Alexander Stewart Webb

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

Notes
  1. McAllister called Mrs. Astor "the Mystic Rose," referring to the "figure in Dante's Paradise around whom all in Paradise revolve," [7]
  2. John Jacob Astor IV was Caroline's only son. He and his second wife, Madeleine Astor, were on the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic. The richest passenger onboard, he died as it sunk on April 15, 1912. [24]
  3. Elizabeth Cavendish-Bentinck, a member of the Livingston family, was included, but her husband, MP William George Cavendish-Bentinck was not. William was a grand-nephew of the 4th Duke of Portland and great-grandson of the 3rd Duke of Portland, the Prime Minister of United Kingdom under George III. [25]
Sources
  1. "Mrs. William Astor (Caroline Webster Schermerhorn, 1831-1908)". www.metmuseum.org. Metropolitan Museum of Art . Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  2. MacColl, Gail; Wallace, Carol McD (2012). To Marry an English Lord: Tales of Wealth and Marriage, Sex and Snobbery in the Gilded Age. Workman Publishing. ISBN   9780761171980 . Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  3. Columbia, David Patrick (August 30, 2007). "The Adventures of Tessie". New York Social Diary . Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 McAllister, Ward (February 16, 1892). "THE ONLY FOUR HUNDRED | WARD M'ALLISTER GIVES OUT THE OFFICIAL LIST. HERE ARE THE NAMES, DON'T YOU KNOW, ON THE AUTHORITY OF THEIR GREAT LEADER, YOU UNDER- STAND, AND THEREFORE GENUINE, YOU SEE" (PDF). The New York Times . Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  5. Burrows, Edwin G.; Wallace, Mike (1998). Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898. Oxford University Press. p. 1072. ISBN   9780199729104 . Retrieved February 3, 2019.
  6. 1 2 "Vanderbilt Ball – how a costume ball changed New York elite society". MCNY Blog: New York Stories. August 6, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
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