Marion Graves Anthon Fish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marion Graves Anthon Fish
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| Born |
Marion Graves Anthon
June 8, 1853 |
| Died | May 25, 1915 (aged 61) Glenclyffe, New York
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | "Mamie", Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish |
| Spouse(s) |
Stuyvesant Fish
(m. 1876; |
| Children | Livingston Fish Marian Anthon Fish Stuyvesant Fish Jr. Sidney Webster Fish |
| Parent(s) | William Henry Anthon Sarah Attwood Meert |
| Relatives | John Anthon (grandfather) |
Marion Graves Anthon Fish (nicknamed "Mamie"; June 8, 1853 – May 25, 1915) was a famous American socialite. People often called her "Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish." She was known for being a "fun-maker" during the Gilded Age. This was a time in American history when many wealthy families lived very grand lives. Mamie and her husband, Stuyvesant Fish, had beautiful homes in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island.
Contents
Early Life
Growing Up in New York
Marion Anthon, or "Mamie," was born on Staten Island, New York. Her father, William Henry Anthon, was a successful lawyer. Her grandfather, John Anthon, was also a well-known judge. Mamie came from a mix of Dutch, English, French, and German families. She grew up in Manhattan. Mamie said she only had a basic education and could barely read or write.
A Leading Socialite
The Gilded Age's Top Hostess
Mamie Fish was one of the most important social leaders during the American Gilded Age. She was part of a group called the "Four Hundred" along with Alva Belmont and Theresa Fair Oelrichs. These women were known for setting social trends.
Mamie became a top leader in high society. She hosted parties in her New York City townhouse at 25 East 78th Street. She also had grand homes called Glenclyffe in Philipstown, New York, and Crossways in Newport, Rhode Island. Mamie was famous for her quick wit and sharp sense of humor.
Mamie's Memorable Parties
Guests at her dinner parties might be greeted with a funny, sometimes teasing, comment. For example, she once told a guest, "Make yourself perfectly at home, and believe me, there is no one who wishes you there more heartily than I do." Another time, she greeted someone by saying, "Oh, how do you do! I had quite forgotten I asked you!"
Mamie often worked with Henry Symes Lehr to plan very unusual parties. One famous story tells of a party for "Prince Del Drago of Corsica." This "prince" turned out to be a well-dressed monkey! The monkey was introduced by Joseph Leiter. The story says the monkey drank too much champagne. Then it climbed a chandelier and threw light bulbs at the guests! However, Harry Lehr later said this story was not true. At another party, Mamie rented an elephant. Dancers would hold peanuts and feed the elephant as they danced by it.
Mamie's sharp comments didn't spare anyone, even important people. When Theodore Roosevelt's wife, Edith Roosevelt, tried to save money, Mamie reportedly made a sarcastic remark about her simple clothes.
Personal Life
Marriage and Family
On June 1, 1876, Mamie married Stuyvesant Fish. He was a director at the National Park Bank of New York City. He was also the president of the Illinois Central Railroad. Stuyvesant was the son of Hamilton Fish.
Mamie and Stuyvesant had four children together. Three of them lived to adulthood:
- Livingston Fish (1879–1880), who sadly passed away when he was six months old.
- Marian Anthon Fish (1880–1944), who married Albert Zabriskie Gray.
- Stuyvesant Fish Jr. (1883–1952), who married Isabelle Mildred Dick.
- Sidney Webster Fish (1885–1950), who married Olga Martha Wiborg. He later married Esther Foss.
Mamie Fish passed away on May 25, 1915. She is buried near her home Glenclyffe at the Church of St. Philip-in-the-Highlands. Her summer home in Newport, Crossways, is now a building with apartments.
In Popular Culture
Mamie Fish has been shown in television shows. In the HBO series The Gilded Age, actress Ashlie Atkinson plays Mamie Fish.
