Elihu B. Frost

Elihu B. Frost was an American lawyer [citation|title=The Bar Association|journal=New York Times|date=March 11, 1891|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9800E2D71F3BE533A25752C1A9659C94609ED7CF. Describes the election of Frost and 16 others to the New York Bar Association.] with an early involvement in the submarine industry. In 1893 the United States Congress funded a $200,000 prize for submarine construction, and Frost lent John Philip Holland the funds he needed to participate in this prize contest; Frost and Holland were finally awarded the prize money in 1895. Frost became secretary-treasurer and later president of Holland's firm, which was first named the John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Company and later the Holland Submarine Company. [citation|title=John P. Holland, 1841-1914: Inventor of the Modern Submarine|first=Richard Knowles|last=Morris|year=1998|publisher=University of South Carolina Press|isbn=157003236X.] When Isaac Rice formed the Electric Boat Company (the predecessor of General Dynamics) to build Holland's submarine designs, Frost became the company's vice-president, secretary, and chief financial officer.

Frost married and divorced twice, as was prominently reported in the newspapers of the time. [citation|title=Mrs. Frost Asks Divorce; Wife of President of Holland Submarine Company Files Suit in Nevada|journal=New York Times|date=December 3, 1909|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F06EFDD1438E033A25750C0A9649D946897D6CF.] [citation|title=Mrs. Marie Frost Divorced; Decree Granted to Her Behind Closed Doors in Reno|journal=New York Times|date=December 20, 1909|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9804E2D61630E733A25753C2A9649D946897D6CF.] [citation|title=E.B. Frost Married Again; Prominent Attorney, Divorced, Wed Rosalind Harrington June 18|journal=New York Times|date=June 29, 1915|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C07E7D6123FE233A2575AC2A9609C946496D6CF.] [citation|title=E.B. Frosts Posts Wife; Hearing on Divorce Application Announced in Atlantic City|journal=New York Times|date=January 22, 1920|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9804E2D91F38E533A25751C2A9679C946195D6CF.] [citation|title=Frost, Suing Wife, Names Man in Case; George Hassan Is Revealed as Co-respondent in Corporation Lawyer's Divorce Action. Hotel Meeting Charged; Young Defendant Is Second Wife of Former Head of Holland Launch Company|journal=New York Times|date=January 23, 1920|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F02E2D81F38E533A25750C2A9679C946195D6CF.] [citation|title=Mrs. Frost Files Answer; Alleges Cruelty Against Husband and Names Co-respondents|journal=New York Times|date=February 13, 1920|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C06E3DE103BEE32A25750C1A9649C946195D6CF.] When he died on August 22, 1925, he left his estate to a female friend (later determined to be his fiancée), cutting off his relatives. [citation|title=Elihu Frost Estate Left to a Woman; Submarine Builder Made Mrs. Helen Evans Beneficiary; Cut Off Relatives. Disposition to be Fought – Contestants Engage Six Law Firms – Incompetency and Undue Influence Charged|journal=New York Times|date=October 25, 1925|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40710F83F5D13738DDDAC0A94D8415B858EF1D3.] [citation|title=Bulk of Frost Estate Goes to his Fiancée; Mrs. Helen E. Evans Received $345,337 Under Will of Late Corporation Lawyer|journal=New York Times|date=December 16, 1926|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00B1EFE3C591B7A93C4A81789D95F428285F9.]

References

External links

* [http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/history/pioneers3.html#Elihu%20Frost Biography] on U.S. Navy web site
* [http://www.gdeb.com/about/centennial/eb-100yrs-2.html Morris view of Holland more widely accepted in our era ] Elihu B. Frost is acknowledged on Electric Boat/General Dynamics web site
* [http://www.geocities.com/gwmccue] Elihu B. Frost's role with John P. Holland's company is acknowledged at this site. Look under people & places/Elihu B. Frost.