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| 1849 births | |
| palmer, bertha | |
| 1918 deaths | |
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Bertha Palmer ( May 22 , 1849 – May 5 , 1918 ) was an American businesswoman, socialite, and philanthropist. Born Bertha Honoré in Louisville, Kentucky , her father was businessman Henry Honoré. Palmer studied in her home town and achieved a reputation as a skilled musician, a proficient linguist, a brilliant writer, a skilled politician, and a fine administrator. She married Chicago real estate developer Potter Palmer in 1871 . She was 21; he was 44. Following her marriage, she quickly rose to the nexus of Chicago society. "She was beautiful, dashing, quick and smart; and more than that, she was sure of herself," wrote historian Ernest Poole . She was an early member of the Chicago Woman's Club, a mix of wealthy and working women who met to study social problems. They supported Kindergartens until the city made them part of the school system, and campaigned for inexpensive milk for impoverished children and better care for children of imprisoned mothers. In 1891 Bertha Palmer was selected president of the Board of Lady Managers of the World's Columbian Exposition The board was meant to be largely honorary, but Bertha used her influence to heighten awareness of women's achievements at the fair. The women of the board made certain that there would be a large Women's Building, filled with examples of women's work, and saw to it that similar exhibits were featured in every one of the state pavilions as well. Soon after this appointment, Bertha Palmer travelled to Europe to promote interest in the Exposition. While there she began her passion for collecting new Impressionist paintings — when she returned home two years later she had 29 Monet s and 11 Renoir s in tow. Many of these now form the core of the Art Institute Of Chicago 's Impressionist collection. She maintained homes in London and Paris, and following her husband's death in 1902 rumours abounded that she would marry a titled man. Among the suspected suitors were the earl of Munster , the duke of Atholl , the prince of Monaco and the king of Serbia . However, these rumours all proved to be unfounded. Bertha Palmer became interested in the winter climate of Florida and in . Upon her death in Osprey, Florida , her body was returned to lie in state at "the Castle," the sumptuous mansion Potter Palmer had built on Chicago's Gold Coast . Mrs. Palmer is buried alongside her husband in Graceland Cemetery . |
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