Flora Payne Whitney
Encyclopedia
Flora Payne Whitney, also known as Flora Whitney Miller (July 27, 1897 – July 18, 1986), was a wealthy socialite, art collector, and patron of the arts.
, a sportsman and heir to the Whitney family
fortune, and Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
, heiress to a substantial part of the Vanderbilt family
fortune.
Flora Payne Whitney 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 Reefs," the Payne-Whitney "cottage" in Newport, Rhode Island
, Flora made her debut. She was escorted by Quentin Roosevelt
, son of President Theodore Roosevelt
, although her father did not approve of young Roosevelt. After the United States entered World War I, Quentin enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Service, and became engaged to Flora before leaving for duty overseas. The glamorous young couple never married, since Quentin was killed in action in a dog fight with six German warplanes over Chamery, France, on July 14, 1918. Quentin’s letters to Flora, from the time they met until his death—discovered and first used by Edward Renehan
in his book The Lion's Pride (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998) -- charted the course of America’s entry into the war.
After Quentin's death, Flora married Roderick Tower, an aviator who had trained with Quentin Roosevelt at Mineola air field on Long Island. Tower, a stockbroker, was son of U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Germany Charlemagne Tower, Jr.
.
Flora Payne Whitney and Roderick Tower were married at St. Bartholomew's Church, New York on April 20, 1920. Flora gave birth to a daughter Pamela Tower in 1921 and a son Whitney Tower
in 1923. The marriage was a failure, however, due to Tower's drinking and infidelity, and they were divorced in 1925.
On February 4, 1927, in Cairo, Egypt, Flora married George Macculloch Miller III, the grandson of the founder of the forerunner of the United Hospital Fund
, George Macculloch Miller
. The marriage to "Cully" Miller was long and happy, and Flora had two more children, Flora (born 1928) and Leverett, born in 1931.
Flora worked closely with her mother Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney in founding and endowing the Whitney Museum of Art in New York. After Gertrude's death, Flora served as President of the Museum from 1941 until 1966, and as Chairman from 1966 through 1974. Flora's daughter and granddaughter remain active in museum affairs to this day.
She died in 1986.
Biography
She was the eldest daughter of Harry Payne WhitneyHarry Payne Whitney
Harry Payne Whitney was an American businessman, thoroughbred horsebreeder, and member of the prominent Whitney family.- Early years :...
, a sportsman and heir to the Whitney family
Whitney family
The Whitney family is an American family notable for their social prominence, wealth, business enterprises and philanthropy, founded by John Whitney who came from London, England to Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635.-Rise to prominence:...
fortune, and Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was an American sculptor, art patron and collector, and founder in 1931 of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City...
, heiress to a substantial part of the Vanderbilt family
Vanderbilt family
The Vanderbilt family is an American family of Dutch origin prominent during the Gilded Age. It started off with the shipping and railroad empires of Cornelius Vanderbilt, and expanded into various other areas of industry and philanthropy...
fortune.
Flora Payne Whitney grew up at 871 Fifth Avenue in New York City. She attended the Brearley School
Brearley School
The Brearley School is an all-girls private school in New York City, New York, United States. It is located on the Upper East Side of the Manhattan borough of New York City. The school is divided into the Lower School , Middle School and Upper School...
in New York and Foxcroft School
Foxcroft School
Foxcroft School, founded in 1914 by Ms. Charlotte Haxall Noland, is an independent boarding and day school for girls in grades 9–12, located near Middleburg, Virginia, United States....
in Middleburg, Virginia
Middleburg, Virginia
Middleburg is a town in Loudoun County, Virginia, United States with a population of approximately 976 as of July 2010.-History:The town was established in 1787 by American Revolutionary War Lieutenant Colonel and Virginia statesman, Levin Powell. He purchased the land for Middleburg at $2.50 per...
, where she met and became close life-long friends with the artist Kay Sage
Kay Sage
Katherine Linn Sage , usually known as Kay Sage, was an American Surrealist artist and poet.-Biography:...
.
On August 4, 1916, at "The Reefs," the Payne-Whitney "cottage" in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, Flora made her debut. She was escorted by Quentin Roosevelt
Quentin Roosevelt
Quentin Roosevelt was the youngest and favorite son of President Theodore Roosevelt. Family and friends agreed that Quentin had many of his father's positive qualities and few of the negative ones. Inspired by his father and siblings, he joined the United States Army Air Service where he became a...
, son of President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
, although her father did not approve of young Roosevelt. After the United States entered World War I, Quentin enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Service, and became engaged to Flora before leaving for duty overseas. The glamorous young couple never married, since Quentin was killed in action in a dog fight with six German warplanes over Chamery, France, on July 14, 1918. Quentin’s letters to Flora, from the time they met until his death—discovered and first used by Edward Renehan
Edward Renehan
Edward John Renehan, Jr. is a publisher, consultant and writer, and onetime professional musician. He made headlines in 2008 when he was convicted of document theft.-Biography:...
in his book The Lion's Pride (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998) -- charted the course of America’s entry into the war.
After Quentin's death, Flora married Roderick Tower, an aviator who had trained with Quentin Roosevelt at Mineola air field on Long Island. Tower, a stockbroker, was son of U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Germany Charlemagne Tower, Jr.
Charlemagne Tower, Jr.
Charlemagne Tower, Jr. was an American businessman, scholar, and diplomat.-Biography:Charlemagne Tower was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 17, 1848 to Charlemagne Tower Sr. and Amelia Malvina Tower. He was the first of seven children.He spent his childhood in Orwigsburg and...
.
Flora Payne Whitney and Roderick Tower were married at St. Bartholomew's Church, New York on April 20, 1920. Flora gave birth to a daughter Pamela Tower in 1921 and a son Whitney Tower
Whitney Tower
Whitney Tower was an American journalist reporting on Thoroughbred horse racing and a president of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame...
in 1923. The marriage was a failure, however, due to Tower's drinking and infidelity, and they were divorced in 1925.
On February 4, 1927, in Cairo, Egypt, Flora married George Macculloch Miller III, the grandson of the founder of the forerunner of the United Hospital Fund
United Hospital Fund
In the late 19th century several prominent American industrialists of the , sometimes called "Robber barons", among them J. P. Morgan, George Maccullogh Miller, , Cornelius Vanderbiltformed a charity organization that was originally referred to the Hospital Saturday and Sunday Association...
, George Macculloch Miller
George Macculloch Miller
George Macculloch Miller , was a lawyer and secretary of Cathedral of St. John the Divine.. Miller and J. Pierpont Morgan were directors of the New-York, New-Haven and Hartford Railroad.-Charitable Work:...
. The marriage to "Cully" Miller was long and happy, and Flora had two more children, Flora (born 1928) and Leverett, born in 1931.
Flora worked closely with her mother Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney in founding and endowing the Whitney Museum of Art in New York. After Gertrude's death, Flora served as President of the Museum from 1941 until 1966, and as Chairman from 1966 through 1974. Flora's daughter and granddaughter remain active in museum affairs to this day.
She died in 1986.
Further reading
- "Society Welcomes Miss Flora Whitney", The New York Times, August 5, 1916.
- "Flora Whitney Wed to Roderick Tower", The New York Times, April 20, 1920.