Flora Payne Whitney

Flora Payne Whitney

Flora Payne Whitney a.k.a. Flora Whitney Miller (July 27, 1897 - July 18, 1986), a wealthy socialite, art collector, and patron of the arts was the eldest daughter of Harry Payne Whitney, the American businessman and member of the prominent Whitney family and Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, member of the equally prominent Vanderbilt family.

Flora Whitney Miller was born and grew up at 871 Fifth Avenue in New York City. She attended the Brearley School in New York and Foxcroft School in Middleburg, Virginia, where she met and became close life-long friends with the artist Kay Sage.

On August 4, 1916, at the Payne-Whitney home on Bellevue Avenue and the Cliffs, Newport, R.I., Flora made her debut. At her debutante ball, Flora met Quentin Roosevelt, son of President Theodore Roosevelt. Not long after, Flora became engaged to Quentin. Tragically, however, before they married, Quentin died in action during World War I when his plane was shot down over France in July 1918.

While attending Columbia University, Flora met Roderick Tower, a stockbroker, and son of U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Germany Charlemagne Tower and married him at St. Bartholomew's Church, New York on April 20, 1920. She gave birth to a daughter Pamela Tower in 1921 and a son Whitney Tower in 1923. They were divorced in France in 1925.

On February 4, 1927, in Cairo, Egypt, Flora married G. Macculloch Miller, the grandson of the founder of the forerunner of the United Hospital Fund, George Macculloch Miller of the Central Trust. Flora had another two children, Flora in 1928 and Leverett in 1931.

Flora Whitney Miller had long worked closely with her mother Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, meeting and befriending many artists, dealers, and art patrons. She helped her mother plan the founding of the Whitney Museum of Art and served on the museum's board, serving as President after her mother's death in 1941 until 1966, and as Chairman from 1966 through 1974.

Sources

"Society Welcomes Miss Flora Whitney", The New York Times (Aug. 5, 1916)

"Flora Whitney Wed to Roderick Tower", The New York Times (Apr. 20, 1920)


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Flora Payne Whitney — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Flora Payne Whitney, también conocida como Flora Whitney Miller (27 de julio de 1897 18 de julio de 1986), fue una mecenas y coleccionista de arte de clase adinerada. Flora era la hija mayor de Harry Payne Whitney,… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Harry Payne Whitney — (April 29 1872 October 26 1930) was an American businessman, thoroughbred horsebreeder, and member of the prominent Whitney family. Early years Born in New York City, he was the eldest son of the very wealthy businessman and United States… …   Wikipedia

  • Payne Whitney — Infobox Person name = Payne Whitney image size = caption = birth date = March 20, 1876 birth place = New York City flagicon|USA death date = May 25, 1927 death place = Manhasset, New York flagicon|USA occupation = Investor Racehorse owner/breeder …   Wikipedia

  • Pauline Payne Whitney — (born March 21, 1874 – November 22, 1916), was an American heiress and a member of the prominent Whitney family.She was born in New York City, New York, the daughter of Flora Payne and businessman and statesman William C. Whitney.In 1895 Pauline… …   Wikipedia

  • Whitney Museum of American Art — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Museo Whitney en Nueva York, Estados Unidos. El Whitney Museum of American Art (Museo Whitney de Arte Estadounidense, en español) es un museo especializado en el arte estadounidense del siglo XX. Ubicado en el numero …   Wikipedia Español

  • Whitney Tower — Infobox Person name = Whitney Tower image size = caption = birth date = June 30, 1923 birth place = New York flagicon|United States death date = February 11, 1999 death place = Saratoga Springs, New Yorkflagicon|United States occupation = Horse… …   Wikipedia

  • Whitney family — The Whitney family is an American family notable for their social prominence, wealth, business enterprises and philanthropy founded by John Whitney (1592 1673) who came from London, England to Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635. There are a number… …   Wikipedia

  • Whitney Museum of American Art — The Whitney Museum of American Art, often referred to simply as the Whitney , harbors one of the most important collections of 20th century American art. Located in New York City, New York USA, the Whitney s permanent collection contains more… …   Wikipedia

  • Whitney, Gertrude Vanderbilt — orig. Gertrude Vanderbilt born Jan. 9, 1875, New York, N.Y., U.S. died April 18, 1942, New York City U.S. sculptor and art patron. Great granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt, she was born to great wealth and studied sculpture in New York City… …   Universalium

  • Famille Whitney — La famille Whitney est une famille américaine dont les membres sont de grands financiers et philanthropes. Sommaire 1 Début de la notoriété 2 Les courses de chevaux 3 Autres implications 4 …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”