Theodate Pope Riddle facts for kids
Theodate Pope Riddle (born February 2, 1867 – died August 30, 1946) was an important American architect and philanthropist. She was one of the first women in America to become a licensed architect. She also survived the sinking of the famous ship, the RMS Lusitania.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Theodate was born as Effie Brooks Pope in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the only child of Alfred Atmore Pope, a successful businessman and art collector.
When Effie was 19, she changed her name to Theodate. She chose this name to honor her grandmother, Theodate Stackpole. She went to Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut. After graduating, she hired teachers to help her study architecture privately.
Theodate became the first woman to be a licensed architect in both New York and Connecticut. In 1926, she was honored as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. This was a big achievement for her work.
Designing Famous Buildings
Theodate Pope Riddle designed many important buildings. She helped create her family's home, Hill-Stead, which is now the Hill–Stead Museum in Farmington. She also designed and founded two schools: Avon Old Farms School in Avon and Westover School.
_-_west_facade.JPG)
One of her most famous projects was the rebuilding of the birthplace of former President Theodore Roosevelt in New York City. This work was done in 1920. In 2014, her work on this site was recognized in a special competition called "Built by Women New York City."
Key Architectural Projects
- 1898–1907: Alfred Pope House, Hill-Stead, Farmington, CT (with McKim, Mead and White)
- 1906–1909: Westover School, Middlebury, CT
- 1911–1914: Joseph P. Chamberlain Estate, Highfield, Middlebury, CT
- 1913–1914: Mrs. Charles O. Gates Estate, Dormer House, Locust Valley, Long Island, NY
- 1914–1915: Hop Brook Elementary School, Naugatuck, CT
- 1915: Worker's Housing, Farmington, CT
- 1918–1927: Avon Old Farms School, Avon, CT
- 1919–1922: Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace (reconstruction and interior design) New York, NY
Her important papers and designs are kept at the Hill-Stead Museum, Avon Old Farms School, and the Westover School Archives.
Professional Connections
Theodate Pope was a member of several important groups. These included the Architectural League of New York, the Archaeological Institute of America, and the Mediaeval Academy of America.
Surviving the RMS Lusitania
On May 1, 1915, Theodate boarded the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania as a first-class passenger. She was traveling with her maid, Miss Emily Robinson, and Professor Edwin W. Friend.
On May 7, a German submarine attacked the Lusitania with a torpedo. The ship began to sink quickly. Theodate, Robinson, and Friend tried to get to the lifeboats. However, the ship's crew was not good at launching them. Theodate saw one lifeboat tip over, sending all its passengers into the sea.
Theodate and Professor Friend decided it would be safer to jump from the ship's deck. Before jumping, Theodate told her maid, "Come, Robinson."
In the water, Theodate was hit by floating pieces of the ship and struggled with other people trying to survive. She was struck on the head. She later remembered, "People all around me were struggling." Then, a man, very scared, jumped and landed on her shoulders.
Theodate lost consciousness in the water. When she was rescued, people first thought she had died. But another passenger, Belle Naish, noticed she was still alive. It took two hours to fully revive her. Sadly, neither Miss Robinson nor Professor Friend survived the sinking.
Personal Life
On May 6, 1916, Theodate married John Wallace Riddle, who was 52 years old and a former American diplomat. Theodate was also interested in parapsychology, which is the study of mental abilities that seem to go beyond normal science. She was a member of the American Society for Psychical Research.
Theodate Pope Riddle passed away on August 30, 1946, at her home in Farmington.
See also
In Spanish: Theodate Pope Riddle para niños
