Eleanor Sherman Thackara
Encyclopedia
Eleanor Mary Sherman Thackara (1859 - 1915), is most known as the daughter of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman
of American Civil War
fame and his wife, Ellen Ewing Sherman
.
in Washington, D. C. The two began a courtship that lasted only a year before their marriage on May 5th, 1880.
where Eleanor gave birth to four children, Alexander Montgomery “Mont”, William Sherman “Sherman”, Elizabeth, and Eleanor. Eleanor was also mentioned in the New York Evangelist as an upcoming writer as she weighed in on the idea of training schools in Philadelphia, but little else is known about her career in writing.
to serve as US Consul in Le Havre, France, moving the entire family overseas. While living in France
, Eleanor’s reputation for philanthropy
began to grow as she served with the Red Cross in Paris
, even receiving awards for her work in the organization. In 1905, Thackara was re-stationed as Consul General in Berlin
and Eleanor’s reputation was rewarded by being elected President of the American Women’s Club, a premier social organization. Interestingly, the election seemed a rebuff to previously appointed Mrs. Hill, wife of Ambassador David Jayne Hill
, as the presidency generally went to the wife of an ambassador
, which Eleanor was not.
appointed the Lieutenant as Consul General once again. However, Eleanor’s return to Paris was brief as she died only two years after their return.
Eleanor Sherman Thackara died on July 18th, 1915. She was survived by her four children and her husband Alexander.
William Tecumseh Sherman
William Tecumseh Sherman was an American soldier, businessman, educator and author. He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War , for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched...
of American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
fame and his wife, Ellen Ewing Sherman
Ellen Ewing Sherman
Ellen Ewing Sherman , was the wife of General William Tecumseh Sherman, a leading Union general in the American Civil War. She was also a prominent figure of the times in her own right....
.
Early life
Known as “Ellie” in the correspondence between her and her father, she was one of eight children, but little is known about her childhood. In 1879 and at the age of 20, Eleanor met Alexander Montgomery ThackaraAlexander Montgomery Thackara
Alexander Montgomery Thackara , addressed as “Mont” in family correspondence, was born in Philadelphia in 1848. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1869. He served at sea in European and Far Eastern areas....
in Washington, D. C. The two began a courtship that lasted only a year before their marriage on May 5th, 1880.
Family
In 1881, the Lt. Thackara left military service, moving to Philadelphia with Eleanor to join the family business. While there, the couple spent three years in the town of RosemontRosemont, Pennsylvania
Rosemont is a community in Pennsylvania on the Pennsylvania Main Line lying partly in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania and partly in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania.Part of the geographic area is served by the Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, ZIP code...
where Eleanor gave birth to four children, Alexander Montgomery “Mont”, William Sherman “Sherman”, Elizabeth, and Eleanor. Eleanor was also mentioned in the New York Evangelist as an upcoming writer as she weighed in on the idea of training schools in Philadelphia, but little else is known about her career in writing.
Philanthropy
In 1897, Thackara was appointed by President William McKinleyWilliam McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
to serve as US Consul in Le Havre, France, moving the entire family overseas. While living in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Eleanor’s reputation for philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
began to grow as she served with the Red Cross in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, even receiving awards for her work in the organization. In 1905, Thackara was re-stationed as Consul General in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and Eleanor’s reputation was rewarded by being elected President of the American Women’s Club, a premier social organization. Interestingly, the election seemed a rebuff to previously appointed Mrs. Hill, wife of Ambassador David Jayne Hill
David Jayne Hill
David Jayne Hill was an American diplomat and historian.Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, he was educated at Bucknell University from which he graduated in 1874. He served as professor of rhetoric in the institution from 1877 to 1879 and was for the eight years following its president. From 1888 to...
, as the presidency generally went to the wife of an ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
, which Eleanor was not.
Death
In 1913, Eleanor and Thackara returned to Paris when President Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
appointed the Lieutenant as Consul General once again. However, Eleanor’s return to Paris was brief as she died only two years after their return.
Eleanor Sherman Thackara died on July 18th, 1915. She was survived by her four children and her husband Alexander.