Abby Aldrich Rockefeller

Abby Rockefeller LCCN2014718060 (cropped)

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller (October 26, 1874 – April 5, 1948) was an American socialite and philanthropist. Through her marriage to John D. Rockefeller Jr., she became a prominent member of the Rockefeller family. Abby is perhaps best known for her role in the establishment of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

Early Life

Abby Greene Aldrich was born in Providence, Rhode Island, to Senator Nelson W. Aldrich and Abigail Pearce Truman Chapman. Her father was a prominent politician and a leader in the Republican Party, which provided Abby with a privileged upbringing and access to influential circles from a young age. She was educated at private schools and showed an early interest in social welfare and the arts.

Marriage and Family

In 1901, Abby Aldrich married John D. Rockefeller Jr., the only son of John D. Rockefeller, the oil magnate and founder of the Standard Oil Company. The couple had six children, including Nelson Rockefeller, who would later become Vice President of the United States, and David Rockefeller, a prominent banker.

Philanthropy and the Arts

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller was deeply involved in philanthropy, with a particular focus on the arts and public welfare. She was instrumental in the founding of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1929. Along with two friends, Lillie P. Bliss and Mary Quinn Sullivan, she envisioned a museum dedicated to contemporary art, which was a radical idea at the time. MoMA was the first museum of its kind and has since become one of the most influential modern art museums in the world.

In addition to her work with MoMA, Abby was involved in numerous other charitable endeavors. She was a supporter of the International House of New York, a residence and program center for international students in New York, and she contributed to various social welfare programs, including those aimed at improving the living conditions of women and children.

Legacy

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller's legacy is most visible in her contributions to the arts and her role in the establishment of the Museum of Modern Art. Her vision and philanthropy have had a lasting impact on the art world and have helped to make modern art accessible to a wide audience. The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in Williamsburg, Virginia, is named in her honor, recognizing her contributions to American folk art.

Death

Abby Aldrich Rockefeller passed away on April 5, 1948, in New York City. Her death was widely mourned, and she is remembered as a pioneering woman in the fields of philanthropy and the arts.

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