Louise Cromwell Brooks

Henrietta Louise Cromwell Brooks (c. 1890 - May 30, 1965) was an American socialite and the first wife of General Douglas MacArthur.

Brooks, who was "considered one of Washington's most beautiful and attractive young women" [Lionel Atwill Wed to Mrs. MacArthur", The New York Times, June 8, 1930] made her debut in Washington DC in 1910. Her mother, Eva Roberts Cromwell, married the businessman Edward T. Stotesbury after the death of her first husband, Louise's father, Oliver Eaton Cromwell of Philadelphia. Louise's brother was James H. R. Cromwell, the American diplomat and husband to Doris Duke.

Louise Cromwell was married to Walter J. Brooks, Jr. in 1911. They divorced in 1919. She married MacArthur in 1922. That marriage ended in 1929. She next married the actor Lionel Atwill, whom she divorced in 1943. In 1944 she married Alf Heiberg. That marriage also ended in divorce.

According to Time Magazine, a 1922 press report claimed that General John J. Pershing threatened to send General MacArthur to the Philippines if Louise married MacArthur. [ "Died. Louise Cromwell Brooks MacArthur Atwill Heiberg" [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,833740,00.html Time Magazine, Friday, June 11, 1965] ]

Brooks died of a heart attack in Washington DC at the age of 75.

Notes

References

*"Gen. MacArthur Weds Mrs. Brooks", The New York Times, February 15, 1922
*"Wife Divorces General M'Arthur", The New York Times, June 18, 1929
*"Lionel Atwill Wed to Mrs. MacArthur", The New York Times, June 8, 1930
*"Louise Cromwell Brooks Dies; First Wife of Gen. MacArthur", The New York Times, June 1, 1965