|
|
|
 |
Biography of Alva Vanderbilt Belmont
ALVA VANDERBILT BELMONT When I wrote the evaluation of the handwriting of Alva Belmont (1853-1933), I knew nothing of this extraordinary woman. I did not know she was a social scion and trend setter, a suffragist, former National Woman's Party President, an associate of Alice Paul. I did not know that Alva founded the Political Equality Association or that she marched, picketed the White House, pleaded with President Wilson, was jailed, force fed, attacked by police, and jeered in public in 1913. I did not know of the determination of Alva Vanderbilt to put the Vanderbilt name right along side if not to top the socially prominent Astor's, especially, Mrs. William B. Astor and her daughter, Caroline. A strategist par excellence. Alva Vanderbilt Belmont was one of the wealthiest women in America in the early 1900s. The book, Alva That Vanderbilt-Belmont Woman, is a fictional account tracing the life of this remarkable woman. The 90 or so photographs corroborating life and times of Alva add much to the story. One might recognize another accomplishment of Alva as a Vanderbilt -- Marble House at Newport, Rhode Island. She and architect, Richard Morris Hunt, designed, built, and furnished this magnificent structure. Another mansion in the Vanderbilt family and one with which you may be even more familiar with is the Breakers featured in "The Great Gatsby." Alva's prominence and prestige extended to England. Daughter, Consuelo, married the Ninth Duke of Marlborough (a relative of Winston Churchill). It is reported that Winston Churchill is to have said that Alva Belmont was the only woman he was afraid of. Born January 17, 1853, in Mobile, Alabama, Alva Erskine Smith, the family moved to New York in 1861. When Alva was 13, the family moved to France and returned to New York in 1870. Alva married William Kissam Vanderbilt, April 20, 1875. Three children were born of this marriage, 2 boys with the girl, Consuelo, the middle child. Alva and William Vanderbilt divorced in 1895. Alva married Oliver H.P. Belmont January 1896 and was widowed in 1908. With the Belmont fortune under her management, she continued with remodeling and building efforts and focused her energies with women's rights issues. She lead a suffragist parade down 5th Avenue in New York City in 1912. In 1919, she financially backed co-workers in the suffragists movement in their final push for the Constitutional Amendment -- No. 19. The 7-page letter share with me was dated January 5, 1919, when Alva at the age of 66 was probably living in New York and working with others to pass the 19th Amendment. At that time also, some family problems were in need of her attention as well. Author: Margaret Hayden Rector, received the Edna Davidson Franklin Golden Quill Award in Los Angeles for this work. In the summer of 1992 Rector presented 2 lecture in turn-of-the-Century costume at the Sewall-Belmont House in Washington, DC. The Sewall-Belmont House is the home of the National Woman's party -- which Alva Belmont purchased and funded many of its operations to bring about the vote for women. It is with appreciation to author, Margaret Hayden Rector, for her permission to share this material. More about Alva and the author can be seen at http://www.wic.org/misc/alva.htm -- The Women's International Center in San Diego, a nonprofit education and service organization. The Letter submitted for evaluation was a 7-page letter. One page is included as representation for the following report. The information I had prior to the report was limited by my choice. Also the evaluation was prior to the book's publication. A snippet of writing can be seen on page 303 of Alva That Vanderbilt-Belmont Woman. Author Rector, upon reading the report, said, "Right on.". Other Links to Alva Belmont:
|