Madeleine Ives Goddard

Madeleine Ives Goddard, Marquise d'Andigné (July 1, 1874 – March 31, 1931)[1] was an American socialite and nurse, who became the Marquise d'Andigné upon her marriage in 1906. In France, she continued her interest in nursing, and was decorated for her contributions during World War I.

Marquise d'Andigné
Goddard, from a 1901 publication.
Born
Madeleine Ives Goddard

July 1, 1874
Providence, Rhode Island
DiedMarch 31, 1931(1931-03-31) (aged 56)
Providence, Rhode Island
Spouse
René d'Andigné
​
​
(m. 1906; died 1929)​
Parent(s)Robert Hale Ives Goddard
Rebecca Groesbeck Goddard
RelativesWilliam S. Groesbeck (grandfather)

Early life

Madeleine Ives Goddard was born in Providence, Rhode Island on July 1, 1874. She was one of three children born to Robert Hale Ives Goddard (1837–1916)[2] and Rebecca Burnet (née Groesbeck) Goddard (1840–1914), a native of Cincinnati, Ohio.[3] Her father was a banker and industrialist, and a veteran of the Union Army in the American Civil War. Her older brother, William Groesbeck Goddard, died young, and her younger brother, Robert Hale Ives Goddard Jr.,[4] married Margaret Hazard (granddaughter of Rowland G. Hazard)[5] and was involved with Brown & Ives, the family investment firm.[6]

Her paternal grandparents were Charlotte Rhoda (née Ives) Goddard (daughter of Thomas P. Ives) and William Giles Goddard, a Brown University alumni and professor who owned and published the Rhode Island American newspaper.[7][8] Her cousin was yachtswoman Hope Goddard Iselin. Her maternal grandparents were Elizabeth (née Burnet) Groesbeck (daughter of Judge Jacob Burnet) and William S. Groesbeck, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Cincinnati.[3]

Although she was "one of the richest of the American heiresses", she was "not fond of society or social functions";[9] instead, she studied violin, enjoyed sports, and trained as a nurse.[10]

Philanthropy
Madeleine, Marquise d'Andigné, from a 1916 newspaper, dressed in a nurse's uniform, with two medals pinned to chest.
Madeleine, Marquise d'Andigné, from a 1916 newspaper, dressed in a nurse's uniform, with two medals pinned to chest.

In France, the Marquise d'Andigné used her nursing training to volunteer during World War I. With several other American women in Paris, including Elizabeth Beers-Curtis and Mary Alsop King Waddington, she co-founded and was president of Le Bien-être du Blessé,[11] a national organization of volunteers, purchasing and delivering supplies to hospitals near the front, and building and staffing hospital kitchens. Her wealthy contacts in the United States helped to raise funds, especially the organization's American president, writer Gertrude Atherton.[12][13] Cooperation with the American Red Cross added useful expertise.[14] Madame d'Andigné was decorated for heroism,[11] and received the Legion d'Honneur for her wartime service.[15]

In 1927, with her brother, she gave Rhode Island Goddard Memorial State Park, a 472 acres (191 ha) state park along the shores of Greenwich Cove and Greenwich Bay in Warwick, Rhode Island, in memory of their father.[4][16]

Personal life

Goddard turned away several notable suitors until 1905, when she met René d'Andigné, the Marquis d'Andigné, while motoring in France.[17][18] René was the son of General the Marquis d'Andigné, a cavalry commander in the Franco-Prussian War who became one of the political leaders of France. They married on December 29, 1906 at Hopeton House, her family's home in Providence.[19]

Her husband died in 1929. She died from cancer in 1931, aged 56 years, at her brother's home in Providence, Rhode Island.[1][20] In her will, she left $100,000 to the Rhode Island Foundation, "for the relief of incurables."[21][22] The Marquise d'Andigné Fund continues into the 21st century, supporting people with Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and other diagnoses in Rhode Island.[23]

References
  1. "MARQUISE D'ANDIGNE DIES IN PROVIDENCE; Former Madeleine Goddard Was on Visit to Brother--Decorated by France for War Work" (PDF). The New York Times. 1 April 1931. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  2. "COL. R. H. I. GODDARD FOUND DEAD IN BED; Noted Manufacturer and Reform Leader Suffered Heart Attack in His Providence Home. BACK FROM A HEALTH TRIP Servant Discovered Body of Aged Employer Where It Fell After He Was Stricken" (PDF). The New York Times. 24 April 1916. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  3. "Mrs. Robert Hale Ives Goddard" (PDF). The New York Times. 3 July 1914. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  4. "Robert H. I. Goddard Dies at 79; Leader in Bankingand Textiles" (PDF). The New York Times. 21 November 1959.
  5. Times, Special to The New York (16 July 1908). "MISS HAZARD WEDS R.H.I. GODDARD, JR.; Two Old and Notable Rhode Island Families United at Peacedale. WEDDING TRIP IN AUTO Ceremony Was Performed in Church Built Many Years Ago by the Bride's Grandfather" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  6. Stattler, Rick (August 1997). "Robert H.I. Goddard Jr. Papers". www.rihs.org. Rhode Island Historical Society. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  7. "Goddard Family Papers". www.rihs.org. Rhode Island Historical Society. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  8. "Goddard, William Giles". www.brown.edu. Encyclopedia Brunoniana. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  9. "Society at Home and Abroad". The New York Times. September 16, 1906. p. 22. Retrieved July 12, 2019 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
  10. "Sun Shone Through Storm Upon the Bride". The Boston Globe. December 30, 1906. p. 47. Retrieved July 12, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Madame la Marquise d'Andigne, New York Times". Library of Congress. December 10, 1916. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  12. Atherton, Gertrude (2018-03-01). 17 Books. B&R Samizdat Express. ISBN 9781455392711.
  13. Atherton, Gertrude (October 15, 1916). "Caring for Convalescent Soldiers in War Zone: Splendid Work of Le Bienetre du Blesse Described by Famous Novelist, Who Witnessed It at the Front in Northern France". The New York Times. p. 12 – via ProQuest.
  14. Service, American National Red Cross Nursing (1922). History of American Red Cross Nursing. Macmillan. pp. 1412–1416. Bienetre du Blesse.
  15. "Was Thrice Decorated". The Gazette. April 2, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved July 12, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. O'Connor, Kevin P. "Postcard-perfect landscapes and seaside splendor". The Herald News, Fall River, MA. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  17. "An International Marriage". Town & Country. 62: 6–7. April 27, 1907 – via ProQuest.
  18. "The Romance of New England's Famous Beauty". The Butte Miner. October 21, 1906. p. 12. Retrieved July 12, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "MISS GODDARD A MARQUISE.; Daughter of Col. Goddard Weds the Marquis d'Andigne at Providence" (PDF). The New York Times. 30 December 1906. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  20. "History Bytes: Madeline Ives Goddard". Newport Historical Society. 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  21. "A family legacy: Third generation of Goddard family partners with Foundation". Rhode Island Foundation. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  22. "Marquise D'Andigne Aids Charities" (PDF). The New York Times. 2 May 1931. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  23. "Fund For "the relief of incurables"". Rhode Island Foundation. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
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