Mary Benedict Cushing
Encyclopedia
Mary Cushing Fosburgh and known as "Minnie" was a socialite, the wife of William Vincent Astor
, and the widow of the painter James Whitney Fosburgh. She was a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
and the New York City Center
, and was on the board of the Yale Art Gallery. She was also major supporter of the American National Theater and Academy
and the Henry Street Settlement
. During World War II
she was a leader in the Ship Service Committee and New York City War Fund.
and Barbara Cushing
. She also had two brothers, William Harvey Cushing, and Henry Kirke Cushing.
She was married twice, first to the multi-millionaire William Vincent Astor
in 1940 as his second wife. They were divorced in 1953. She married her second husband, the painter James Whitney Fosburgh (1910-1978), that same year. She died on November 6, 1978.
, Winslow Homer
, William Nicholson
, Pierre-Auguste Renoir
, Walter Sickert
, and Pavel Tchelitchew
.
Vincent Astor
William Vincent Astor was a businessman and philanthropist and a member of the prominent Astor family.-Early life:...
, and the widow of the painter James Whitney Fosburgh. She was a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a renowned art museum in New York City. Its permanent collection contains more than two million works, divided into nineteen curatorial departments. The main building, located on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan's Museum Mile, is one of the...
and the New York City Center
New York City Center
New York City Center is a 2,750-seat Moorish Revival theater located at 131 West 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues in Manhattan, New York City. It is one block south of Carnegie Hall...
, and was on the board of the Yale Art Gallery. She was also major supporter of the American National Theater and Academy
American National Theater and Academy
The American National Theatre and Academy is a non-profit theatre producer and training organization that was established in 1935 to be the official United States national theatre that would be an alternative to the for-profit Broadway houses of the day....
and the Henry Street Settlement
Henry Street Settlement
The Henry Street Settlement is a not-for-profit social service agency in the Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City that provides social services, arts programs and health care services to New Yorkers of all ages. It was founded in 1893 by Progressive reformer Lillian Wald.The...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
she was a leader in the Ship Service Committee and New York City War Fund.
Biography
She was the daughter of Harvey Williams Cushing. Her two sisters, also prominent socialites, were Betsey CushingBetsey Cushing Roosevelt Whitney
Betsey Roosevelt Whitney , was an American philanthropist, the ex-wife of James Roosevelt , and later wife of American millionaire and U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St...
and Barbara Cushing
Babe Paley
Barbara "Babe" Cushing Mortimer Paley was an American socialite and style icon. She was known by the popular nickname "Babe" for most of her life. She was named to the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1958....
. She also had two brothers, William Harvey Cushing, and Henry Kirke Cushing.
She was married twice, first to the multi-millionaire William Vincent Astor
Vincent Astor
William Vincent Astor was a businessman and philanthropist and a member of the prominent Astor family.-Early life:...
in 1940 as his second wife. They were divorced in 1953. She married her second husband, the painter James Whitney Fosburgh (1910-1978), that same year. She died on November 6, 1978.
Legacy
As an art collector, she was known for her collection including Paul CézannePaul Cézanne
Paul Cézanne was a French artist and Post-Impressionist painter whose work laid the foundations of the transition from the 19th century conception of artistic endeavour to a new and radically different world of art in the 20th century. Cézanne can be said to form the bridge between late 19th...
, Winslow Homer
Winslow Homer
Winslow Homer was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects. He is considered one of the foremost painters in 19th century America and a preeminent figure in American art....
, William Nicholson
William Nicholson
William Nicholson may refer to:*William Nicholson , Bishop of Gloucester*William Nicholson *William Nicholson , U.S...
, Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a French artist who was a leading painter in the development of the Impressionist style. As a celebrator of beauty, and especially feminine sensuality, it has been said that "Renoir is the final representative of a tradition which runs directly from Rubens to...
, Walter Sickert
Walter Sickert
Walter Richard Sickert , born in Munich, Germany, was a painter who was a member of the Camden Town Group in London. He was an important influence on distinctively British styles of avant-garde art in the 20th century....
, and Pavel Tchelitchew
Pavel Tchelitchew
Pavel Tchelitchew was a Russian-born surrealist painter, set designer and costume designer. He left Russia in 1920, lived in Berlin from 1921 to 1923, and moved to Paris in 1923. In Paris Tchelitchew became acquainted with Gertrude Stein and, through her, the Sitwell and Gorer families...
.