Abby Aldrich Rockefeller: The Woman in the Family

by Bernice Kert

In 1894, Abby Aldrich, the outgoing, impulsive daughter of Rhode Island’s Senator Nelson Aldrich, met Brown University student John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the shy and reserved heir to the Standard Oil fortune. This unlikely pair fell in love, but only seven years later did John feel confident enough to propose. Once married, Abby used her empathy, willingness to experiment, and defiant optimism to broaden John’s way of thinking and to expand his vision of what the Rockefeller fortune could do, shaping the family into a progressive force in philanthropy, the arts, and politics. Abby cherished and protected her six children — Babs, John III, Nelson, Laurance, Winthrop, and David — and inspired in them a desire to serve society. She helped open the nation’s eyes to modern art and in 1928, initiated the foundation of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. From behind the scenes Abby helped direct the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg and the building of Rockefeller Center.

“Abby Aldrich Rockefeller was a legendary figure, a woman of great wealth and power who used them for great good — in often cunning ways. Astonishingly, no one has written her story before. Now Bernice Kert has done so in a sweeping, meticulous, original biography that illuminates a rare life, an historic family, and modern America.” — Catharine R. Stimpson, University Professor, Rutgers University

“Bernice Kert can raise biography to a level of insight and surprise that matches the best fiction. Witness this study of a woman we think we know all about.” — Elizabeth Janeway, author of Man’s World, Woman’s Place

“Bernice Kert’s thoroughly researched biography of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller is a welcome and wonderful read. Everyone interested in art and social history will want to read about this most progressive and interesting Rockefeller.” — Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of Eleanor Volume I, 1884-1933

“[Reading] this biography, the life of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, is like reading an exciting mystery story. One can hardly wait to turn the page to find out what this extraordinary and fascinating woman did, not only for herself but for everything and everyone she touched, from her husband, to nature, to the opening of a new view into the art world. The vitality of Abby Rockefeller, as depicted here by Bernice Kert, is a lesson to all women.” — Brooke Astor

“What might have been a kind of family mausoleum turns out to be a fascinating read, brimming with fresh material from unpublished archives and interviews with eyewitnesses. Bernice Kert’s thorough and engaging portrait brings to life an enormously influential American woman who had an historic impact on both her extraordinary family and the arts — as a pioneering collector and patron, and as the innovating founder of two major museums.” — J. Carter Brown, Director Emeritus, National Gallery of Art

“Kert, despite all her exhaustive research, happily lets her subject retain all of her formidable vitality and independence... Kert deals not only with the couple’s marriage — which was, in spite of some strains, a lifelong love affair — and the six Rockefeller children, but also with Abby’s generous contributions to art, education, and politics, as well with as her role in creating Rockefeller Center and Colonial Williamsburg. A splendidly intelligent, very readable portrait of a woman who was as wise in the rearing of her family as in the spending of her great wealth.” — Kirkus Reviews

“In this elegantly written, carefully researched and psychologically astute biography, Abby Rockefeller emerges as a loveable and intelligent woman who wielded her great privilege to a variety of socially beneficial ends.” — Publishers Weekly

“Bernice Kert [has] an eye for offbeat biography... Kert’s penetrating close-up captures not only [Abby’s] remarkable personality but the suffocating nuances of post-Victorian matrimony.” — Los Angeles Times

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Art

371 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 1993

Reviews

[Allie Surdovel]

Amazing, I wish Bernice Kert wrote more books.

[Trudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abby Aldrich was the daughter of the powerful Senator from Rhode Island. As a young woman, she spent a great deal of time with her father because her mother was unwell. After her marriage to John Rockefeller in 1901, she had six children. John D. III was a reserved, religious man, forever trying to please his father, "Senior." John was extremely dependent on Abby, even resenting time spent away from him with their children. Abby had a tremendous ease about her and had a talent for making people comfortable in her presence. Travel in Europe early in her marriage brought a love of art, and Abby had a knack for discovering great art, however unknown the artist. Although John did not approve of modern art, and would not have Abby hang it in portions of their homes that he frequented, he did, ultimately, donate the land for MoMA in NYC. The Rockefellers also restored Colonial Williamsburg, and Abby's collection of folk art became the core of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Museum of Folk Art in Williamsburg. The Rockefellers also gave the land to New York for Fort Tryon Park and the Cloisters Museum. Nelson Rockefeller's collection of Mexican folk art is now housed in two museums: the San Antonio Museum of Art and the Mexican Museum in San Francisco. John D. Rockefeller donated the Manhattan land along the East River for the permanent home of the United Nations. I have never cried upon reading the end of a biography until reading this one. I am so glad I persevered with this book. I'm glad to have "known" Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. In a letter to her older sons about race hate and prejudice:
..."I long to have our family stand firmly for what is best and highest in life...If you older boys will do it the younger will follow."

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweeping biography about an amazing woman. I feel inspired and better informed for having read this book. I learned about the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art, Williamsburg, and Abby Rockefeller’s involvement in both. The good that she made happen with her wealth is amazing. I hope the wealthy people of today will use their money to do similar good in the world. I think many do….but I hope more step up….our world needs many many more generous people like Abby and John Rockefeller.

[yunxia wen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched, good book. I am impressed what Mrs. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller,Jr has done to contribute to MOMA and to the world. I am also impressed her non conditional love to Mr. JD Rockefeller, Jr and her family members. According to history she got ten thousand dollar per year from her husband, it was not luxury to maintain Mr. JD Rockefeller,JR' social standard, but Mrs. Abby still contribute variety social events and funded MOMA physically and financially. Mrs. Abby Rockefeller JR set an example for women.
But I do not like author's common about Mr. JD Rockefeller, JR " He knew that she had supported him in everything he set out to do, Had he let her done in same way?"
Mrs Abby never complained her husband, she understood her husband. Mr. JD Rockefeller JR had his reason not to support, may be is great depression time.
On November 6,1965 Mr JD Rockefeller JR donated 40,000 share IBEC to MOMA under outside pressure.
After Mr. JD Rockefeller JR married to widow Martha Baired Aleen, during the wedding day, Mr. JD Rockefeller JR gave Martha Baired Aleen sizeable trust fund that Martha Baired Aleen could do the things made her happy. Also after Mr. JD Rockefeller JR died, Mr JD Rockefeller passed Martha Baired Aleen 75 million dollar and numerus luxury properties and a lot of art collections
Why Mr. JD Rockefeller JR did totally different way, only Mr. JD Rockefeller JR knew.

[Bailey Powell Aldrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have finally, FINALLY finished reading this thing. I think it took me about five years.

It’s incredibly well researched and an exhaustive tribute to an under-appreciated patron of the arts, especially modern. Without her, there would be no Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). She cared deeply about family, art, and financing important restorations (e.g., colonial Williamsburg, Versailles) and was a prolific letter writer which I love.

I think it could’ve been a little shorter as there were paragraphs and pages dedicated to setting, like the thorough recap of the European theatre in WWII? Anywhoozles.

As always, badass women in history are dreadfully under-celebrated for their contributions to society. I really appreciate Kert’s immense effort to tell Abby’s story.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is okay, but AAR was such an interesting and formidable woman that the story still is fascinating.

[Faith Flaherty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was recommended by a friend whose daughter was married in the seminary's chapel, on the Aldrich estate. The reception was held in the Aldrich mansion. Because of this setting, I was interested in this biography. I found the political and economical influences upon John and Abby very interesting. The biography not only highlights what made Abby tick, it's good history.
For a taste of the setting of the Aldrich's, see
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24155927...

[Cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at a world we cannot imagine and within it a marriage hard to believe. Mrs. Rockefeller lived under the thumb of her husband and yet learned to thrive and have her way, enough to give us the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan and the Abby Aldrich Folk Art Museum in Williamsburg. I found it hard to believe the constraints she had and yet the money that surrounded her. I read this book several years ago and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Sibyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched and fairly engaging, which is surprising because it's not clear if the author knows how to write anything but stand-alone paragraphs. The lack of flow and internal chapter inconsistency made what could have been an interesting read a chore instead.

[Kathleen Hanes · Rating 2 out of 5]

All one could hope for in a biogarphy and was good to learn so much about the founding of MOMA.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history tied into the life of Mrs. Rockefeller. Learned quite a few things about her and Mr. Rockefeller putting them in a different light in regards to their philanthropic ways.

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very engaging book about an interesting life! I thoroughly enjoyed this one!