Julian Fellowes’ highly anticipated new period drama The Gilded Age, dubbed the ‘US Downton Abbey’, is less than a week away, and will bring a new cast of glamorous, privileged and exceeding wealthy cast of characters to our screens.
Yet while Fellowes’ characters – played by stars including Cynthia Nixon, Christine Baranski and Meryl Streep’s daughter Louisa Jacobson – are all fictional, they are inspired by a group of real-life society swans who dominated the New York social scene in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The Gilded Age was a period of flashy materialism in America during the 1870s and featured a New York high society filled with lavish ladies all vying to be the ultimate hostess.
This viscous social circle – where Old Money fought to keep New Money from reaching the upper-classes – was overseen by the all-powerful gatekeeper, Caroline Schermerhorn Astor, whose wealth could be traced back generations.
All that glitters: The highly anticipated period drama The Gilded Age by Julian Fellowes, also known as the “US Downton Abbey”, is just a week away and will feature a brand new cast of wealthy, glamorous and privileged characters. Pictured are stars Cynthia Nixon (second right) and Christine Baranski, (far right).
In 1909, real society royalty was the New York High Society members: Left to right, John S. Milburn (Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt III), Stuyvesant Fisher, James Roosevelt Roosevelt and Cornelius Vanderbilt III. These are the people who inspired the characters of the period series.
Caroline was the queen bee of New York and hosted events where everyone could attend.
Alva Vanderbilt was her rival; Vanderbilt’s railway fortune came first-generation, but was tainted with the crudeness of Cornelius its founder.
A daughter of an Irish miner, who got married after striking gold in West Texas, was another. This straight-talking hostess insulted her guests and had a beautiful face who eventually married into America’s most powerful families.
Fellowes’ Drama is built on this feud between Fellowes’ upper classes and the rising middle classes, who became extremely wealthy due to the industrial revolution in the latter 19th century.
Released on Sky Atlantic and Now TV on January 25 in the UK and HBO on January 24 in the US, the series focuses on newcomer Marian Brook (played by Jacobson), who is guided by her Old Money aunts, whose lives are at odds with her New Money friends.
FEMAIL features real women from the Gilded Age. It includes dazzling debutantes as well as battling power-players who sought to beat each other with 5th Avenue mansions.
Caroline Schermerhorn Astor
Ultimate queen Bee: Caroline Schermerhorn Astor, the leader in New York High Society for over 40 years (pictured), decided who was ‘in-‘ and ‘out’ from the aristocracy
Marriage: An illustration of Miss Caroline Schermerhorn Astor’s wedding, published 1884
The leader of New York high society for four decades, Caroline Schermerhorn Astor decided who was ‘in’ or ‘out’.
Her power was immense. While most wives are known by their husbands’ names or titles, Astor simply used Mrs Astor, despite the fact that she was not the spouse of top males in the family.
Mrs. Astor was born New York City in 1830 to a prosperous merchant’s daughter. On both sides of her family tree, she had colonial Dutch Dutch aristocracy.
Her fortune was joined by an even larger one when she wed William Astor. William Astor is the grandson of John Jacob Astor who was a fur-magnate and real estate entrepreneur.
As she sought to retain the significance of her old wealth, in a society that was changing rapidly and full of new riches eager to join the elite circles of society, her social career started in the 1860s.
She enlisted the support of Ward McAllister a newspaper columnist and self-appointed arbiter of taste who joined Mrs Astor in drawing up lists of who was in — and who was out. This created the group known as “Four Hundred”
She was constantly dripping in diamonds, but aside from her materialistic ways, which were common in the Gilded Age, Mrs Astor was recognised for her discretion, patience (with her husband’s womanising being well known) and sharp tongue.
Author Tony Rennell, writing for The Daily Mail, recently noted that she once said of ‘shopkeepers’, even Manhattan’s finest and richest: ‘I buy my carpets from them, but is that any reason why I should invite them in to walk on them?’
She believed that Old Money was more valuable than New Money and even dismissed Andrew Stewart, the owner of a department store, whose fortune put him among 20 most wealthy people in human history.
If you were invited to her annual ball, held on the third Monday in January, you were seen as being in the top circle, according to Tatler, while if you didn’t make the cut, you were decidedly ‘out’.
Yet staying at the top was a constant struggle – and one of Mrs Astor’s rivals was Alva Vanderbilt, whose husband’s family’s fortune was built from the railway.
There was also in-fighting within the Astor dynasty, with William Waldorf Astor, Mrs Astor’s nephew constantly trying to place his wife Mamie in the role of Mrs Astor.
The Upper East Side residence where Mrs Astor lived. Even after her son moved in, the estate was still known as hers.
His wife should have rightfully held the title considering William was the eldest son’s eldest son, reported Beyond, The St. Regis Magazine.
However, that didn’t stop Mrs Astor. After William’s father’s home was torn down to make way for an immense hotel that would overshadow the aunt’s estate next door, Mrs Astor simply said, “There’s a glorified Tavern next door.”
William, after his failed battle against his aunt in the Civil War, left America for England, 1891.
However, Mrs Astor’s rule eventually came to an end; she was overthrown by her own former protégé 32-year-old Grace Vanderbilt in 1902, whose brother had wed her youngest daughter.
Grace was able to host and dine Kaiser’s younger brother over Mrs Astor. Mrs Astor died in her Fifth Avenue home.
Alva Vanderbilt
Alva Astor, the rival of Mrs Astor (pictured), married William K. Vanderbilt. He was the grandson Cornelius in 1875.
Elegance: Alva Vanderbilt and William Vanderbilt at Alva’s yacht in 1925
Powerful dynasty: The Vanderbilts in 1930 including (from left to right) Robert Lancaster, Rosamund Warburton Vanderbilt, Commodore Vanderbilt, William K. Vanderbilt II and Pierre Merillon. Front are Rosemary Warburton III, and Barclay H. Warburton III children.
Family power: Mrs. W.K. Vanderbilt (right), and Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt III (left), strolling through New York City in the 1890’s
Alva Astor, Mrs Astor’s rival, was married to William K. Vanderbilt (Grandson of Cornelius), in 1875.
Vanderbilt’s railway fortune came first and was tainted with the ineptitude of its founder. His family added social sparkle to his gold after he passed away.
Alva was responsible for the construction of an enormous chateau in Fifth Avenue worth $3 million. It featured gilded woodwork and tapestries, stained glass and Renaissance mantelpieces, Rembrandt portraits, and was equipped with gold-gilded woodwork.
The housewarming in 1883 was to be the most luxury masquerade ball in New York history – an Olympian-themed party for 1,200 persons – and resulted in the Vanderbilts finally being included in the ‘Four Hundred’ – a list of the who’s who of New York society.
Vanderbilt split with her husband in 1895. A year later she married Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont after her daughter Consuelo was married to Duke of Marlborough. Alva after her marriage to Mr Belmont
Finding her voice: Following her husband’s death in 1908, Alva Belmont became involved in women’s rights and was the founder of the Political Equality League. This photo was taken in 1910
Alva wore the costume of a Venetian Princess to receive her guests. The string of pearls belonging to Catherine the Great was wrapped around her waist.
Mrs Astor was overwhelmed by the wealth and she began to feel sick. Alva finally called her for an invitation.
She said that ‘we have no right’ to exclude anyone who has been benefited by the development of our great nation, as long as they don’t speak or act vulgar. It is now the right time for Vanderbilts.
Vanderbilt split with her husband in 1895. A year later she married Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont after her daughter Consuelo was married to Duke of Marlborough.
English rose: Consuelo Vanderbilt (pictured in 1911), daughter of William K Vanderbilt and his wife Alva, married the Duke of Marlborough in 1877. They divorced in 1920.
Alva Belmont, her husband’s widow who died in 1908 was involved with women’s rights. She founded the Political Equality League.
It is believed that she offered advice to pray to God. She will be there for you. Elle was elected to the office of president of National Woman’s Party in 1920, an office that she held for her entire life.
In her later years she was an architect designer, and one of the first female members of the American Institute of Architects.
Her last years were spent in France where she lived in several houses.
Marion Graves Anthon Fish
Making waves: Marion “Mamie” Graves Anthon fish (pictured), was still an important player in the Gilded Age.
Marion Mamie Graves Anthon fish was an important player of the Gilded Age. Although she didn’t have the same ambitions as Alva Vanderbilt’s,
The daughter of a lawyer who was successful, and married to a banker and railway tycoon Stuyvesant fish. She once stated in seriousness that she is only modestly wealthy and has just a few millions.
Her quick wit, fun-loving personality and charisma were well-known. She also hosted some amazing parties for the Four Hundred.
Her lavish dinner parties were rumored to have been attended by guests who received insults, such as: “Oh, how are you doing!” I had quite forgotten I asked you!’
According to her, she even said that Theodore Roosevelt’s spouse, “it is claimed she spends $300 per year on clothes, and she looks like it too.”
In one event, her guest of honour was a pet monkey called Prince Del Drago from Corsica. At another, her guests shared the dance floor together with an elephant.
Straight Talking: Mamie fish (pictured) was known for being a quick-witted and fun-loving personality. She threw many spectacular parties for Four Hundred.
Grand home: Three addresses were used by the family to entertain: Her Upper East Side home, Glenclyffe, New York City, and Crossways, Newport, Rhode Island.
Mamie wanted the Queen Bee crown, so she set out to seize it.
They boasted spectacular country homes with 70 bedrooms and fourteen bathrooms. A society beauty would be expected to change her clothes nine times per day.
Mamie was of Dutch and English, French, and German descent and grew up on Manhattan.
According to reports, she received a low education and could not read or write.
Mamie married Stuyvesant Fish, director of the National Park Bank of New York City and president of the Illinois Central Railroad, in 1876.
They had four children together, and three of them survived adulthood. The other two made it to the top of their social climbers.
Marian was married to Albert Zabriskie Gray (son of Judge John Clinton Gray). Stuyvesant Fisch Jr. wed Isabelle Mildred Dick. One local newspaper reported that she looked like a medieval princess’ at her wedding.
Second son Sidney Fish married Olga Wiborg, daughter of Cincinnati ink businessman Frank Bestow Wiborg. Following their divorce, he married Esther Foss. Esther Foss is the two-divorced daughter Governor Eugene Noble Foss.
Three addresses were used by the family to entertain: her Upper East Side home, Glenclyffe, New York; and Crossways, Newport, Rhode Island.
Mamie died on May 25, 1915, and is buried near Glenclyffe.
Grace Vanderbilt
Grace (pictured) was one of the “marrying Wilsons” New York High Society dubbed Grace and her sisters because they had successful marriages
The daughters of New York banker Richard Thornton Wilson, Grace and her sisters Mary and Belle were known as the ‘marrying Wilsons’ by New York high society, due to their advantageous marriages ‘above’ their station.
Mary, a sister to Ogden Goelet was married by their daughter, and Ogden became the Duke of Roxburghe. Another Belle, however, got engaged with Sir Michael Henry Herbert (the younger brother of 13th Earl of Pembroke).
Grace, Alva’s nephew and eloped to Cornelius Vanderbilt III. His parents were furious.
Grace was dismissed by the Vanderbilts from her inception, as they believed she was a social climber, and had seduced their son. They would not have expected him to marry someone “more” than a banker’s child.
He even cut the son’s inheritance by his father (but it still was a nice $1.5million).
Movers and shakers: Left to right: Miss Grace Vanderbilt, Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt (Grace), Mme. Bahkmeteff and Miss Lota Robinson are Mrs. William Payne Thompson
Grace, who was known to be an extravagant spender, later gave his brother $6 million.
Cornelius also had a Fifth Avenue mansion that Grace could use to throw extravagant parties. Grace would eventually be the Queen of New York Society.
Grace was introduced to society hosts by Mrs Astor, who then took Grace under her wing.
Alva was disapprovalful, but Grace and Cornelius were able to find themselves in the center of New York society thanks to their European connections.
Both were friends Travelling across Europe with royalty includes Kaiser Wilhelm II and Germany.
Grace hosted it for Kaiser’s younger brother on a New York trip that apparently toppled Mrs Astor.
Cornelius and Grace remained married for the rest of their lives and had two children, including Cornelius Vanderbilt IV, who married a staggering seven times but had no children.
Grace was Grace’s second marriage.
Cornelius and his wife sold their Fifth Avenue home in New York City in 1940. However, they remained there until their death two years later.
Grace, following the death of her husband, was forced from the palace and moved into the William Starr Miller House, 1048 Fifth Avenue.
There are Fair Oelrichs
Rags to wealth: Theresa Fair Oelrichs, pictured here with her husband after she retired from Mrs Astor’s’retirement”, was another queen bee.
After Mrs Astor’s retirement, Theresa Fair Oelrichs was another Queen Bee. Her humble origins are what made her the Queen Bee.
James Graham Fair, a Californian miner, was her mother. He had immigrated to America in 1843 from Belfast (Ireland) at age 12.
From 1861 to 1860, he worked in the California mining industry until he was forced to leave. He then moved to Nevada with Theresa Rooney (an Innkeeper’s Daughter). The couple were married 1861 and they had four children.
According to reports, Theresa, then two years old at the time, was discovered by Mr Oelrichs, and his companions, the ‘Big Bonanza,’ the biggest single gold-silver deposit ever made.
Before it was closed in 1898, more than 100 million dollars of gold was taken from the mine.
Fair contributed his part to expanding into real estate and railroads, creating a fortune worth $50 million. However, his private life was a disaster. Fair was a victim of an addiction to alcohol. In 1883, 10 year after his discovery of gold, Mrs Fair applied for divorce. Theresa received custody.
But Theresa had the fortune of her father and was therefore a good match.
Theresa was married to Hermann Oelrichs, a wealthy steamship owner in 1890. It was a lavish San Francisco ceremony. Although her father gave $1 million to her, she was not invited.
The newlyweds settled in New York where Theresa became a major force on the social scene, alongside Alva Vanderbilt and Grace Vanderbilt.
To keep pace with her peers in society, Theresa hired an architect to remodel a Newport mansion named Rosecliff. This would be their “summer cottage”. She drew inspiration from the Grand Trianon of Versailles.
They lived in New York at 1 East 57th Street and then at 1 East 72nd Street.
Theresa organized a family coup in 1899 by marrying Birdie, her younger sister, to William K. Vanderbilt III, son of Alva Vanderbilt (and brother of Consuelo Vanderbilt), in a ceremony that was widely covered in the society papers.
Following Mrs Astor’s retirement, Tessie was a ruler of American society, serving as the Triumvirate (Mamie Fish, Alva Vanderbilt, and herself).
Theresa and Hermann didn’t have a happy marriage. Hermann passed away suddenly from a heart attack. His fortune was given to his brother, believing that she would be satisfied with her wealth.
The estate was divided half-way after she contested the sale. Her Rosecliff home is now open to the public after being sold by her son.
Elizabeth Wharton Drexel
Influential: While she might not have been Queen Bee or in the running for that position, Elizabeth Wharton Drexel (pictured here in 1899), was still influential thanks to her coverage of the Four Hundred.
While she might not have been Queen Bee or in the running for that position, Elizabeth Wharton Drexel, author of “Four Hundred”, was still a powerful player.
The Gilded Age, Turn of the World and King Lehr were two of her novels. They gave an insight into New York’s elite society.
TIME magazine stated that the first was:[It]A copy of one of these records, which is a shockingly intimate and startling record of wealthy life, may be confidently opened.
Meanwhile, The Pittsburgh Press wrote of the second: ‘The magnificent spectacle that went on behind the scenes in pre-war days of society’s Gilded Age at Saratoga, Newport, New York and Paris is detailed by an insider, Elizabeth, Lady Decies, who was Miss Elizabeth Wharton Drexel… as with evident nostalgia she tells of extravagant parties and fortunes spent for clothes and jewels’
Aristo bride: Following the passing of her first husband, Elizabeth wed Henry Symes Lehr. She later married for a third time becoming The Right Hon. Elizabeth, Baroness Decies. Pictured, Mrs. George Washington Kavanaugh and Lady Decies at the Met in 1943
Elizabeth and her family were able to inherit the Drexel banking dynasty from their great-grandfather.
She married Henry Symes Lehr in the wake of the loss of her first husband.
But their 28 year marriage was unhappy and she wrote about the cruelty in their relationship in her memoir.
On their wedding night, the husband said to her that he hated his wife, as he only married her for her fortune. He couldn’t bear the thought of ever touching it.
He wanted her to know that he expected her to behave politely in public.
She married again after her husband’s death and became The Right Hon. Elizabeth, Baroness Decies.