vanished fortune's daughter of the opulent era
Anne Morgan: The Forgotten Activist of the Gilded Age
Anne Morgan, born on July 25, 1873, to J. Pierpont Morgan and Frances, was a remarkable figure during the Gilded Age. Despite not being featured in Julian Fellowes' TV series of the same name, Morgan's life and work are worth exploring.
Morgan, the only daughter of the renowned financier, used her name as a lever, not for decoration or hobby reform. She found herself in harder circles, including radical activists and workers in Manhattan's garment factories. Her philanthropic work and activism were focused on labor reform, women's rights, and humanitarian relief, particularly notable for her relief work in France during and after World War I.
Anne joined garment workers’ strikes, helped found the New York Women's Trade Union League, and the American Woman’s Association (AWA) in 1910. She also founded the American Committee for Devastated France (CARD) during the war to assist war-torn communities. Moreover, she raised public attention and real money for legal aid, better wages, and safer factories.
One of her most notable achievements was co-founding New York's Colony Club, which offered amenities previously reserved for men. She also bankrolled Cole Porter's first flop, See America First, in 1915. In addition, Morgan was a founder of the Society for the Prevention of Useless Giving (SPUG), a group that aimed to direct charitable donations to those who needed them most.
Despite her family's wealth and status, Morgan was not afraid to stand up for the rights of workers and join activist movements. She was instrumental in helping to launch Elsie de Wolfe as society's interior decorator and published a book titled The American Girl in 1915.
However, Morgan's progressive activism, especially her work with labor strikes and working-class causes, might have made her a complex figure to integrate into the show’s narrative focused on the period’s high society drama. The series appears to have prioritized other characters and storylines over her.
In summary, Anne Morgan was a notable American philanthropist and activist, deeply involved in labor reform, women's rights, and humanitarian relief. Although not featured in Julian Fellowes’ TV series "The Gilded Age," her contributions to society and the causes she supported are undeniable.
References: - Town & Country Magazine[1] - Britannica[2]
[1] Lasky, K. (2021, January 14). The Real Anne Morgan, the Philanthropist and Activist, Is Missing From Julian Fellowes’ The Gilded Age. Town & Country. https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a35323823/anne-morgan-gilded-age-julian-fellowes/
[2] Anne Morgan. (n.d.). Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anne-Morgan-American-philanthropist
- Anne Morgan, who embraced a style that moved beyond the social circles of the Gilded Age, was known for her advocacy in news such as labor reform and women's rights.
- In the world of politics and society, Morgan's philanthropy stretched to culture, with her support to the arts and science, and health-and-wellness, notably women's health issues.
- Morgan's lifestyle, a blend of high society and activism, was spotlighted in fashion-and-beauty, as she was instrumental in the rise of a notable interior decorator.
- Today, watching a series like "The Gilded Age" may unveil the era's opulence, but one might question why a figure like Anne Morgan, who bridged society and philanthropy, remains somewhat forgotten in the news.
- Although Anne Morgan's life story had fewer dramatic twists compared to other Gilded Age figures, her genuine concern for societal issues such as workers' rights and humanitarian relief remains an essential part of history to watch and learn from.
- In the end, the story of Anne Morgan stands as a testament to the transformative power of one woman's influence, not just in fashion or decor, but in shaping a better society.
