Corinne Alsop Cole
Corinne Alsop Cole (born Corinne Douglas Robinson; July 2, 1886 – June 23, 1971) was an American politician who served two terms as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives.
Corinne Alsop Cole | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives | |
| In office 1931–1933 | |
| In office 1924–1927 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Corinne Douglas Robinson July 2, 1886 Orange, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | June 23, 1971 (aged 84) Avon, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | |
| Relations | See Roosevelt family |
| Children | Joseph Wright Alsop V Corinne Roosevelt Alsop Stewart Johonnot Oliver Alsop John deKoven Alsop |
| Parent(s) | Douglas Robinson Jr. Corinne Roosevelt |
| Education | Allenswood Academy |
| Profession | Politician |
Early life
Corinne Robinson was born on July 2, 1886, in Orange, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Corinne Roosevelt Robinson (1861–1933) and Douglas Robinson Jr. (1855–1918).[1] She was one of four children born to her parents, including future New York State Senator Theodore Douglas Robinson (1883–1934).[2]
Her maternal grandparents were Theodore Roosevelt Sr., a businessman and philanthropist, and socialite Martha (née Bulloch) Roosevelt. Her paternal grandparents were Douglas Robinson Sr. and Frances Monroe.[3] Her great-grandfather was James Monroe, a member of the House of Representatives from New York and the nephew of President James Monroe.[4]
She enjoyed a childhood of privilege and grew up on her parents' New Jersey estate. Travel and horseback rides were part of Corinne's childhood. Like her cousin Eleanor Roosevelt, she attended Allenswood Academy, a private finishing school in Wimbledon, England, under the tutelage of Marie Souvestre. Although she enjoyed the school itself, she found Souvestre abrasive and threatening. Upon her return to the states, she participated in the wedding of Franklin and Eleanor, being a bridesmaid to Eleanor.[5]
Career
She was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1924, serving two terms, from 1924 to 1927 and from 1931 to 1933 and was a leader in the Republican Party of the state. Corinne frequently spoke to large crowds and was highly effective and influential due to her stature, position and intelligence. On June 10, 1936, Alsop addressed the 1936 Republican National Convention, seconding the nomination of Kansas Governor Alfred M. Landon.
Relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt
During Franklin D. Roosevelt's tenure in the White House, Corinne was a frequent guest. Although as a Republican she disagreed politically with her cousin, she and Eleanor Roosevelt remained close throughout their lives.
Mrs. Alsop's trips to Washington, D.C. caused other family tensions. While in D.C., Alsop was often asked by both Eleanor and Alice, a leader in Washington society, to stay at her home. Mrs. Alsop's decision was usually made based on who had asked her first.
Personal life
In 1909, Corinne Douglas Robinson was married to Joseph Wright Alsop IV (1876–1953).[6] He was descended from a family that was long prominent in politics, including Continental Congressman John Alsop, Richard Alsop, John Alsop King, and his father, Dr. Joseph Wright Alsop III, the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor of Connecticut in 1891. Alsop also served in the Connecticut General Assembly along with Corinne.[6]
Together, they had four children:
- Joseph Wright Alsop V (1910–1989),[7] who married Susan Mary Jay Patten (1918–2004),[8] the daughter of Ambassador Peter Augustus Jay and a descendant of the first Chief Justice of the United States John Jay, in 1961.[8]
- Corinne Roosevelt Alsop (1912–1997),[9] who married Percy Chubb II of Chubb Insurance in 1932.[10]
- Stewart Johonnot Oliver Alsop (1914–1974),[11] who married Patricia Barnard "Tish" Hankey (1926-2012) in 1944.[12]
- John deKoven Alsop (1915–2000),[13] who also served in the Connecticut General Assembly and unsuccessfully ran for Governorship of Connecticut several times, and who married Augusta McLane Robinson (1924–2015) in 1947.[14]
Joseph Wright Alsop IV died in March 1953 and she married a second time to insurance magnate, Francis W. Cole in 1956. This marriage was to last ten years with Francis dying in 1966. Corinne Alsop Cole died in 1971, a week before her 85th birthday, in Avon, Connecticut.[15]
Descendants
Through her son Stewart, she was the grandmother of six grandchildren: Joseph Wright Alsop VI; Ian Alsop; Elizabeth Winthrop Alsop, a children's book author; Stewart Alsop II, an investor and pundit; Richard Nicholas Alsop, a missionary with FamilyLife; and Andrew Alsop.[11]
Through her daughter Corinne, she was the grandmother of six: Hendon Chubb, founder of the Chubb Fellowship; Percy Chubb III, president of the Victoria Foundation; Joseph Chubb; James Chubb; Caldecot Chubb, a film producer; and Corinne Chubb Zimmermann.[9]
Through her son John, she was the grandmother of three, John deKoven Alsop, Mary Alsop Culver, and Augusta Alsop.[13]
References
- Brogan, Hugh and Mosley, Charles American Presidential Families, October 1993, p. 568
- Times, Special To The New York (April 15, 1934). "Notables Mourn for T. D. Robinson – Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt, His Cousin, Attends the Funeral Near Herkimer, N.Y. – Simple Service at Home – Burial in Family Cemetery on Estate – Wagon Substituted for a Hearse". The New York Times. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
- "Robinson–Roosevelt – A Beautiful Church Wedding and a Brilliant House Reception". The New York Times. April 30, 1882. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
- "Douglas Robinson, Jr. + Corinne Roosevelt". Stanford.edu. Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2018-01-15.
- "President Roosevelt Gives The Bride Away – His Niece Weds His Cousin, Franklin Delano Roosevelt – Ceremony at Parish Home – The Bride, Miss Eleanor Roosevelt, the Daughter of President's Only Brother". The New York Times. March 18, 1905. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- "Joseph W. Alsop of Connecticut, 76; Father of Columnists is Dead – Republican Party Official Led Insurance Concerns". The New York Times. March 18, 1953. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- Eric Pace (August 29, 1989). "Joseph Alsop Dies at Home at 78". The New York Times. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
- Martin, Douglas (August 20, 2004). "Susan Mary Alsop, 86, Washington Hostess and Author". The New York Times. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
- Saxon, Wolfgang (December 24, 1997). "Corinne Chubb, 85, Philanthropist to Newark". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- Clark, Alfred E. (October 11, 1982). "Percy Chubb 2d, 73; Insurance Executive and a Bank Director". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- "Stewart Alsop, Columnist, Is Dead at 60". The New York Times. May 27, 1974. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- Applegate, Edd (2009). Advocacy Journalists: A Biographical Dictionary of Writers and Editors. Scarecrow Press. p. 13. ISBN 9780810869295. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- Saxon, Wolfgang (April 17, 2000). "John Alsop, 84, G.O.P. Figure In Connecticut". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- "Augusta McL Robinson Wed in Hartford To'John Alsop of Connecticut Assembly". The New York Times. June 20, 1947. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
- Times, Special To the New York (June 25, 1971). "Mrs. C. Alsop Cole, Mother of Writers". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2018.