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Craig Wadsworth

Craig Wharton Wadsworth
Craig Wadsworth
Born(1872-01-12)January 12, 1872
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
DiedMay 20, 1960(1960-05-20) (aged 88)
Geneseo, New York, U.S.
Resting placeTemple Hill Cemetery, Geneseo, New York
EducationThe Hill School
Harvard University
Known forDiplomat, member of Roosevelt's Rough Riders
Parent(s)Craig W. Wadsworth
Evelyn Willing Peters
RelativesJames Wadsworth (grandfather)
James W. Wadsworth (uncle)
Cornelia W. Adair (aunt)
James Wadsworth Jr. (cousin)

Craig Wharton Wadsworth (January 12, 1872 – May 20, 1960)[1] was a diplomat, steeplechase rider, and member of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders.[2]

Early life

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Wadsworth was born in Philadelphia to Gen. Craig Wadsworth (1841–1872) and Evelyn Willing (née Peters) Wadsworth (1845–1886).[3] His elder brother was James S. Wadsworth (1870–1930).

His grandfather was Civil War General James S. Wadsworth (1807–1864), his uncle was James Wolcott Wadsworth (1846–1926), and his aunts were Cornelia Wadsworth Ritchie Adair (1837–1921), who became prominent as the matriarch of Glenveagh Castle in County Donegal, Ireland, and the large JA Ranch in the Texas Panhandle,[4] and Elizabeth S. Wadsworth (1848–1930), who was married to Arthur Smith-Barry, 1st Baron Barrymore (1843–1925), becoming Lady Barrymore.[5]

He attended school at The Hill School at Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He studied at Harvard University in 1892 and was a member of the university's varsity football team.[6]

Career

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He was an amateur steeplechase rider and prominent member of New York Society.[7][8][9][10] In 1900, he purchased the horses Banastar (for $11,000), Lucky Bird ($2,600), and Seminole ($3,000) and from the estate of William H. Clark.[11]

He served in Cuba during the Spanish–American War where he served in Troop K of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders in 1898. After the war, he served on Governor Theodore Roosevelt's military staff as a major in Albany, New York.[6]

In 1902, he started in the U.S. Diplomatic Service as third secretary to the American Embassy in London, taking up his position there in August that year,[12] and succeeding William Corcoran Eustis.[13] In 1907, during the murder trial of society architect Stanford White, there were accusations of impropriety made against Wadsworth by Evelyn Nesbit Thaw, the wife of Harry Kendall Thaw.[14][15] Evelyn claimed that Wadsworth entered her mother's room in London and insulted her and her mother. Wadsworth vehemently denied the accusations against him.[14][16][17]

He then served as Consul General at Tehran,[18] Persia; Bucharest, Romania; Montevideo, Uruguay; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Brussels, Belgium; and Lima, Peru.[2]

Wadsworth retired in 1927 and moved back to his family's estate in Geneseo, New York.[6]

Personal life

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Wadsworth was a member of the Knickerbocker Club, the Jockey Club, the Union Club, the Lambs Club, and the Racquet Club of New York City, the Metropolitan Club of Washington, D.C. and the Roehampton Club, the Beefsteak Club, and St James's Club, of London.[6]

Wadsworth died at his home in Geneseo on May 20, 1960, and is buried in Temple Hill Cemetery in Geneseo, New York.[6]

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Wadsworth was portrayed by Chris Noth in the 1997 TV movie Rough Riders, although he is described as being renowned as a polo player rather than a steeplechase rider; also his father, who died the same year he was born, is depicted as being alive in 1898.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Gen Craig Wharton Wadsworth". geni_family_tree. 12 July 1840. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  2. ^ a b "WADSWORTH'S COUSIN HERE; Attaché at Lima, Peru, Tells of the Nation's Progress". The New York Times. 9 September 1926. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  3. ^ "OBITUARY.; Gen. Craig W. Wadsworth. Railroad Reform. Williamsburg's Christmas Homicide. Serious Stabbing Affray. Fires in December". The New York Times. 4 January 1872. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  4. ^ History of the JA Ranch.
  5. ^ "WHAT IS DOING IN SOCIETY". The New York Times. 14 July 1903. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Craig W. Wadsworth, 88, Dies; Retired Diplomat, Sportsman". The New York Times. 21 May 1960. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  7. ^ "DEBUT OF ALICE MORTON; Dance Given in Honor of the ex-Governor's Fourth Daughter at His Home. MANY DEBUTANTES ATTEND Craig W. Wadsworth Leads the Cotillion After Supper, with Miss Alice Morton -- Decorations from Rhinecliff -- Comfort for Coachmen". The New York Times. 14 January 1898. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  8. ^ "A DANCE AT MRS. GERRY'S.; The Annual Entertainment at the Beautiful Gerry Mansion -- A Pretty Cotillion -- Handsome Favors". The New York Times. 6 February 1900. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  9. ^ "DEDICATION AT BUFFALO.; Formal Opening of the Pan-American Exposition to Take Place To-morrow". The New York Times. 19 May 1901. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  10. ^ "COTILLION DANCE AT MRS. J.J. ASTOR'S; Floral Figure, Led by Craig Wadsworth, a Feature of the Evening. THE SZECHENYIS PRESENT Hungarian Airs Played in Compliment to Relatives of Miss Vanderbilt's Fiance -- 200 Guests Present". The New York Times. 21 January 1908. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  11. ^ "SALE OF THE CLARK STABLE.; Banastar Bought by Craig W. Wadsworth for $11,000". The New York Times. 12 May 1900. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  12. ^ "Court Circular". The Times. No. 36842. London. 9 August 1902. p. 6.
  13. ^ "CRAIG WADSWORTH CHOSEN.; The New Yorker Appointed Third Secretary of the United States Embassy at London". The New York Times. 6 May 1902. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  14. ^ a b "WADSWORTH DENIES MRS. THAW'S STORY; Embassy Secretary Tells of Her Mother's Appeal to Him in London. WAS LEFT ILL IN HOTEL When Evelyn Went to the Continent with Thaw -- Records Show He Tried to Aid Her". The New York Times. 12 March 1907. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  15. ^ "WON'T DRAG OTHERS INTO THAW TRIAL; Jerome Ignoring the Mention of Craig Wadsworth and Men Evelyn Thaw Knew. CALLS IN MORE ALIENISTS Prepares Hypothetical Question Bearing on Sanity of Prisoner When He Killed Stanford White. WON'T DRAG OTHERS INTO THAW TRIAL". The New York Times. 10 March 1907. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  16. ^ "SAYS HE'LL FORCE WADSWORTH TO GO; London Editor Collecting Record of His Mode of Life Here and in London. SECRETARY DENIES CHARGE Relates That Evelyn Thaw Told Him That Thaw Exerted Hypnotic Influence Over Her". The New York Times. 13 March 1907. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  17. ^ "NO ACTION ON WADSWORTH.; Washington Smiles at Mention of His Name in the Thaw Trial". The New York Times. 10 March 1907. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  18. ^ "NEWPORTERS BATHE IN STORMY SURF; Dozen Daring Women of the Summer Colony Brave High Wind and Heavy Rain". The New York Times. 19 August 1912. Retrieved 10 May 2017.