Edith Minturn Stokes

Edith Minturn Stokes (June 20, 1867 - June 12, 1937) was an American philanthropist, artistic muse and socialite during the Gilded Age. Early life and family background Edith Minturn was born on June 20, 1867, in West Brighton, in Richmond County, New York (state). She was the third child and second daughter of shipping magnate Robert Bowne Minturn Jr. (1836-1889) and his wife Susannah Shaw (1839-1926). The Minturn family was well connected both politically, and with other prominent families via marriage. Her uncle, Robert Gould Shaw, was killed while commanding the nation’s first all-black regiment. Minturn was educated at home, with music and French lessons, and went on a Grand Tour of Europe, as was then expected of society women. Minturn had several siblings. Her brother Robert Shaw Minturn married Bertha Howard Potter, granddaughter of Bishop Alonzo Potter, niece of Henry Codman Potter, and great-granddaughter of Eliphalet Nott. Her sister Sarah May Minturn married Henry Dwight Sedgwick. They were grandparents of Edie Sedgwick and great-grandparents of Kyra Sedgwick. Their son Robert Minturn Sedgwick married Helen Peabody, daughter of Endicott Peabody. Her sister Mildred Scott married Arthur Hugh Scott, headmaster of a French boarding school for boys. They eventually relocated to England. Her sister Gertrude Minturn married Amos Richard Eno Pinchot. They had two children, one of whom, Rosamond Pinchot, was an actress famed mostly for her great beauty. Philanthropy and artistic muse