Topic: Notable Figures

Willa Cather, the beloved American novelist who lived during the height of America’s Gilded Age, is perhaps best known for her insightful, passionate writing about life on the Nebraska Plains, where she spent her childhood. But Cather’s writing and life included much more than that. She spent a significant part of her adult life in Pittsburgh before coming… Continue reading Episode #118: Willa Cather’s Gilded Age

In 2013, independent scholar, author and Wilde specialist, John Cooper made a surprising discovery. While researching aspects of Oscar Wilde’s famous 1882 American lecture tour, he came upon a lengthy article written and copyrighted by Wilde in 1885 on his philosophies of dress. What made this unique was that this was a significant piece of writing by Oscar, not about him, and had… Continue reading Episode #115: Oscar Wilde on Dress: A New Discovery

Ulysses S. Grant was one of the most important and influential of America’s presidents. not only for his role in winning the Civil War but in how he began to reshape a new country as the 19th century wound to a close. Ulysses S. Grant has become perhaps one of the most misunderstood presidents. Ulysses Dietz, Ulysses S. Grant’s great-great grandson joins The Gilded… Continue reading Episode #114: Ulysses S. Grant: A Preside on the Edge of the Gilded Age

Ever since the premiere episode of HBO’s “The Gilded Age”, viewers and historians have discussed just how close the fictitious character of Bertha Russell (played by Carrie Coon) may be to the real-life socialite steamroller Alva Vanderbilt. There certainly seems to be similarities from Bertha and Alva’s mutual unrelenting drive to claw a place in society — and then there was, after all, the fact that both women… Continue reading Episode #111: Alva Vanderbilt: The Real Bertha Russell?

The famous Mrs. Astor was credited with building and shaping the Gilded Age elite. At her side and combining forces with her to create “the 400” was the controversial Ward McAllister.  McAllister was originally a Southerner who developed a complex persona as the most socially knowledgeable and refined gentleman of the New York elite. Join me for… Continue reading Who Was Ward McAllister? ENCORE

During the late 19th century, nearly 200 wealthy young American women were caught up in marriages with members of British and European nobility. The goal of course was to secure an aristocratic title which would create a solid social position for the American family in the snobbery of Gilded Age society. The European gentlemen wanted… Continue reading Consuelo Vanderbilt and the Gilded Age’s Million Dollar Princesses ENCORE

Join historian Tom Miller of Daytonian in Manhattan for an insightful look at just who Caroline Astor really was. Aside from her very public role as self-imposed leader of New York’s Gilded Age society, she was also a wife and mother. In this show, Tom and I discuss just what her reality likely was in her roles other than grande dame at… Continue reading ENCORE: The Real Mrs. Astor