Mary Goelet

Her Grace
The Duchess of Roxburghe
Personal details
Born Mary Goelet
October 6, 1878
New York City, United States
Died April 26, 1937 (1937-04-27) (aged 58)
Scottish Borders, Scotland
Spouse(s) Henry Innes-Ker
(m. 1903–32)
Children George Innes-Ker
Parents Ogden Goelet
Mary Wilson
Relatives See Goelet family

Mary Goelet, Duchess of Roxburghe (October 6, 1878 – April 26, 1937) was an American-British socialite and heiress.

Early life

Mary Goelet was born in 1878. Her father was Ogden Goelet (d. 1897), a prominent heir and landlord in New York City and great-grandson of Peter Goelet, heir to one of the largest fortunes of the time. Her mother was Mary Wilson. She was a niece of Richard Thornton Wilson, Jr. and Grace Graham Wilson.[1]

Personal life

In 1903, she married Henry Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe (1876–1932).[2] The 8th Duke and Duchess of Roxburgh settled at Floors Castle, where Mary decorated the fortress with her own collection of art including a priceless series of 17th century Gobelins Manufactory tapestries.[3] At the time of her marriage to the Duke of Roxburghe, she was the wealthiest American heiress, with a dowry of twenty million dollars, exceeded only by Consuelo Vanderbilt in the wealth brought to the transatlantic marriages of the pre-1914 era (see Gilded Age).

After ten years of childlessness, Mary gave birth to a son and heir:

In 1929, she inherited $3,000,000 from her mother's estate after the death of her mother.[4]

The Duchess of Roxburghe died in 1937.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "To Marry an English Lord". Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Marriage Announcement". New York Times. September 3, 1903.
  3. ↑ "Illustrated Guide to Places to Visit - Floors Castle". Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  4. ↑ Times, Wireless To The New York (7 August 1929). "DUCHESS INHERITS FORTUNE; Former Miss Goelet Receives $3,000,000 From Mother's Estate.". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
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