From the New York Times 20 October 1929
"Mrs. Rita de Acosta Lydig, long prominent socially, died yesterday afternoon in her apartment at the Hotel Gotham.
Mrs. Lydig had long been a sufferer from pernicious anaemia and she had been quite ill for the past three weeks. Her condition had not been considered serious, however. Her death yesterday at 1:45 P.M. came unexpectedly. with her at the end were her sisters, Miss Mercedes de Acosta of 134 East Forty-seventh Street and Mrs. Henry (Aida) Breckinridge.
In recent years Mrs. Lydig had undergone several operations. She had sought relief in Europe as well as here. Last June she suffered a nervous breakdown and was under treatment for a week at the Neurological Institute, at the Medical Centre.
Mrs. Lydig was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo de Acosta a prominent new York family of Spanish ancestry.
Famous for Her Beauty.
She was noted throught her earlier years for her beauty of the dark Spanish type. Many great artists have painted her portrait, among them Sargent, Boldoni, Madrazo and Zuloaga. With her beauty she possessed rare charm and intellectual brilliance as well.
In 1895, when she was only 16 years old, she was married to the wealthy W. E. D. Stokes. They had one son, W. E. D. Stokes Jr. The marriage was not happy, however, and in 1900 they were divorced. In 1902, she married Major Philip M. Lydig, wealthy and socially prominent. In company with Major Lydig, Mrs. Lydig engaged in a brilliant social career. She sponsored many philanthropies also.
She was an early worker in the woman suffrage movement, was active in campaigns against narcotics and was a leader in the women's conservation movement. during the war she was chairman of the Social Welfare committee of the Mayor's Women's Committee on National Defense and did war work abroad also.
Divorced from Major Lydig in 1918
Meanwhile, however, she and Major Lydig had informally separated, the Major spending much of his time in Europe. they were divorced in Paris in 1918.
Meanwhile, too, she had begun to suffer from the ill health which afflicted her in later years and withdrew from most of her social activity. In 1913, because of ill health, she dismantled her sumptuous home in East Fifty-second Street and sold its many art treasures.
In August, 1921, Mrs. Lydig announced her engagement to the late Rev. Dr. Percy Stickney Grant, rector of the Church of the Ascension, one of the most important pulpits in the city. Dr. Grant at that time was 61 years old. Mrs. Lydig was a member of his church. Bishop Manning refused to sanction the marriage because Mrs. Lydig had been divorced. the bishop's position was based on Canon 42 of the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
At length, on May 25, 1924, Dr. Grant and Mrs. Lydig publicly announced the breaking of their engagement. Only a month later Dr. Grant resigned his rectorship, giving ill health as the principal reason.
In November of that year Dr. Grant was taken gravely ill and remained an invalid until his death in Frebruary, 1927.
Filed Petition in Bankruptcy
Mrs. Lydig's health also became increasingly frail, and she was troubled also by grave financial difficulties. These came to a crisis in April, 1927, with her filing of a petition in bankruptcy listing her liabilities at $94,353. The efforts to straighten out this difficulty were attended by lengthy and acrimonious litigation. In May of that year Mrs. Lydig sold at auction the furnishings of her home at 123 East Fifty-fifth Street and thereafter lived in hotels. The sale netted $50,111.
In the meantime Mrs. Lydig had published a book. "Tragic Mansions," telling of the tragedies which are hidden behind the doors of the wealthy, and it was understood that the proceeds of this also would apply on her debts.
Since then Mrs. Lydig had lived quietly and alone.
It was announced last night on behalf of the family that the funeral services would be private. The will be held Monday morning at the home of her sister, Mercedes de Acosta."
"Mrs. Rita de Acosta Lydig, long prominent socially, died yesterday afternoon in her apartment at the Hotel Gotham.
Mrs. Lydig had long been a sufferer from pernicious anaemia and she had been quite ill for the past three weeks. Her condition had not been considered serious, however. Her death yesterday at 1:45 P.M. came unexpectedly. with her at the end were her sisters, Miss Mercedes de Acosta of 134 East Forty-seventh Street and Mrs. Henry (Aida) Breckinridge.
In recent years Mrs. Lydig had undergone several operations. She had sought relief in Europe as well as here. Last June she suffered a nervous breakdown and was under treatment for a week at the Neurological Institute, at the Medical Centre.
Mrs. Lydig was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo de Acosta a prominent new York family of Spanish ancestry.
Famous for Her Beauty.
She was noted throught her earlier years for her beauty of the dark Spanish type. Many great artists have painted her portrait, among them Sargent, Boldoni, Madrazo and Zuloaga. With her beauty she possessed rare charm and intellectual brilliance as well.
In 1895, when she was only 16 years old, she was married to the wealthy W. E. D. Stokes. They had one son, W. E. D. Stokes Jr. The marriage was not happy, however, and in 1900 they were divorced. In 1902, she married Major Philip M. Lydig, wealthy and socially prominent. In company with Major Lydig, Mrs. Lydig engaged in a brilliant social career. She sponsored many philanthropies also.
She was an early worker in the woman suffrage movement, was active in campaigns against narcotics and was a leader in the women's conservation movement. during the war she was chairman of the Social Welfare committee of the Mayor's Women's Committee on National Defense and did war work abroad also.
Divorced from Major Lydig in 1918
Meanwhile, however, she and Major Lydig had informally separated, the Major spending much of his time in Europe. they were divorced in Paris in 1918.
Meanwhile, too, she had begun to suffer from the ill health which afflicted her in later years and withdrew from most of her social activity. In 1913, because of ill health, she dismantled her sumptuous home in East Fifty-second Street and sold its many art treasures.
In August, 1921, Mrs. Lydig announced her engagement to the late Rev. Dr. Percy Stickney Grant, rector of the Church of the Ascension, one of the most important pulpits in the city. Dr. Grant at that time was 61 years old. Mrs. Lydig was a member of his church. Bishop Manning refused to sanction the marriage because Mrs. Lydig had been divorced. the bishop's position was based on Canon 42 of the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
At length, on May 25, 1924, Dr. Grant and Mrs. Lydig publicly announced the breaking of their engagement. Only a month later Dr. Grant resigned his rectorship, giving ill health as the principal reason.
In November of that year Dr. Grant was taken gravely ill and remained an invalid until his death in Frebruary, 1927.
Filed Petition in Bankruptcy
Mrs. Lydig's health also became increasingly frail, and she was troubled also by grave financial difficulties. These came to a crisis in April, 1927, with her filing of a petition in bankruptcy listing her liabilities at $94,353. The efforts to straighten out this difficulty were attended by lengthy and acrimonious litigation. In May of that year Mrs. Lydig sold at auction the furnishings of her home at 123 East Fifty-fifth Street and thereafter lived in hotels. The sale netted $50,111.
In the meantime Mrs. Lydig had published a book. "Tragic Mansions," telling of the tragedies which are hidden behind the doors of the wealthy, and it was understood that the proceeds of this also would apply on her debts.
Since then Mrs. Lydig had lived quietly and alone.
It was announced last night on behalf of the family that the funeral services would be private. The will be held Monday morning at the home of her sister, Mercedes de Acosta."
From the New York Times 20 October 1929
"Mrs. Rita de Acosta Lydig, long prominent socially, died yesterday afternoon in her apartment at the Hotel Gotham.
Mrs. Lydig had long been a sufferer from pernicious anaemia and she had been quite ill for the past three weeks. Her condition had not been considered serious, however. Her death yesterday at 1:45 P.M. came unexpectedly. with her at the end were her sisters, Miss Mercedes de Acosta of 134 East Forty-seventh Street and Mrs. Henry (Aida) Breckinridge.
In recent years Mrs. Lydig had undergone several operations. She had sought relief in Europe as well as here. Last June she suffered a nervous breakdown and was under treatment for a week at the Neurological Institute, at the Medical Centre.
Mrs. Lydig was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo de Acosta a prominent new York family of Spanish ancestry.
Famous for Her Beauty.
She was noted throught her earlier years for her beauty of the dark Spanish type. Many great artists have painted her portrait, among them Sargent, Boldoni, Madrazo and Zuloaga. With her beauty she possessed rare charm and intellectual brilliance as well.
In 1895, when she was only 16 years old, she was married to the wealthy W. E. D. Stokes. They had one son, W. E. D. Stokes Jr. The marriage was not happy, however, and in 1900 they were divorced. In 1902, she married Major Philip M. Lydig, wealthy and socially prominent. In company with Major Lydig, Mrs. Lydig engaged in a brilliant social career. She sponsored many philanthropies also.
She was an early worker in the woman suffrage movement, was active in campaigns against narcotics and was a leader in the women's conservation movement. during the war she was chairman of the Social Welfare committee of the Mayor's Women's Committee on National Defense and did war work abroad also.
Divorced from Major Lydig in 1918
Meanwhile, however, she and Major Lydig had informally separated, the Major spending much of his time in Europe. they were divorced in Paris in 1918.
Meanwhile, too, she had begun to suffer from the ill health which afflicted her in later years and withdrew from most of her social activity. In 1913, because of ill health, she dismantled her sumptuous home in East Fifty-second Street and sold its many art treasures.
In August, 1921, Mrs. Lydig announced her engagement to the late Rev. Dr. Percy Stickney Grant, rector of the Church of the Ascension, one of the most important pulpits in the city. Dr. Grant at that time was 61 years old. Mrs. Lydig was a member of his church. Bishop Manning refused to sanction the marriage because Mrs. Lydig had been divorced. the bishop's position was based on Canon 42 of the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
At length, on May 25, 1924, Dr. Grant and Mrs. Lydig publicly announced the breaking of their engagement. Only a month later Dr. Grant resigned his rectorship, giving ill health as the principal reason.
In November of that year Dr. Grant was taken gravely ill and remained an invalid until his death in Frebruary, 1927.
Filed Petition in Bankruptcy
Mrs. Lydig's health also became increasingly frail, and she was troubled also by grave financial difficulties. These came to a crisis in April, 1927, with her filing of a petition in bankruptcy listing her liabilities at $94,353. The efforts to straighten out this difficulty were attended by lengthy and acrimonious litigation. In May of that year Mrs. Lydig sold at auction the furnishings of her home at 123 East Fifty-fifth Street and thereafter lived in hotels. The sale netted $50,111.
In the meantime Mrs. Lydig had published a book. "Tragic Mansions," telling of the tragedies which are hidden behind the doors of the wealthy, and it was understood that the proceeds of this also would apply on her debts.
Since then Mrs. Lydig had lived quietly and alone.
It was announced last night on behalf of the family that the funeral services would be private. The will be held Monday morning at the home of her sister, Mercedes de Acosta."
"Mrs. Rita de Acosta Lydig, long prominent socially, died yesterday afternoon in her apartment at the Hotel Gotham.
Mrs. Lydig had long been a sufferer from pernicious anaemia and she had been quite ill for the past three weeks. Her condition had not been considered serious, however. Her death yesterday at 1:45 P.M. came unexpectedly. with her at the end were her sisters, Miss Mercedes de Acosta of 134 East Forty-seventh Street and Mrs. Henry (Aida) Breckinridge.
In recent years Mrs. Lydig had undergone several operations. She had sought relief in Europe as well as here. Last June she suffered a nervous breakdown and was under treatment for a week at the Neurological Institute, at the Medical Centre.
Mrs. Lydig was the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo de Acosta a prominent new York family of Spanish ancestry.
Famous for Her Beauty.
She was noted throught her earlier years for her beauty of the dark Spanish type. Many great artists have painted her portrait, among them Sargent, Boldoni, Madrazo and Zuloaga. With her beauty she possessed rare charm and intellectual brilliance as well.
In 1895, when she was only 16 years old, she was married to the wealthy W. E. D. Stokes. They had one son, W. E. D. Stokes Jr. The marriage was not happy, however, and in 1900 they were divorced. In 1902, she married Major Philip M. Lydig, wealthy and socially prominent. In company with Major Lydig, Mrs. Lydig engaged in a brilliant social career. She sponsored many philanthropies also.
She was an early worker in the woman suffrage movement, was active in campaigns against narcotics and was a leader in the women's conservation movement. during the war she was chairman of the Social Welfare committee of the Mayor's Women's Committee on National Defense and did war work abroad also.
Divorced from Major Lydig in 1918
Meanwhile, however, she and Major Lydig had informally separated, the Major spending much of his time in Europe. they were divorced in Paris in 1918.
Meanwhile, too, she had begun to suffer from the ill health which afflicted her in later years and withdrew from most of her social activity. In 1913, because of ill health, she dismantled her sumptuous home in East Fifty-second Street and sold its many art treasures.
In August, 1921, Mrs. Lydig announced her engagement to the late Rev. Dr. Percy Stickney Grant, rector of the Church of the Ascension, one of the most important pulpits in the city. Dr. Grant at that time was 61 years old. Mrs. Lydig was a member of his church. Bishop Manning refused to sanction the marriage because Mrs. Lydig had been divorced. the bishop's position was based on Canon 42 of the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
At length, on May 25, 1924, Dr. Grant and Mrs. Lydig publicly announced the breaking of their engagement. Only a month later Dr. Grant resigned his rectorship, giving ill health as the principal reason.
In November of that year Dr. Grant was taken gravely ill and remained an invalid until his death in Frebruary, 1927.
Filed Petition in Bankruptcy
Mrs. Lydig's health also became increasingly frail, and she was troubled also by grave financial difficulties. These came to a crisis in April, 1927, with her filing of a petition in bankruptcy listing her liabilities at $94,353. The efforts to straighten out this difficulty were attended by lengthy and acrimonious litigation. In May of that year Mrs. Lydig sold at auction the furnishings of her home at 123 East Fifty-fifth Street and thereafter lived in hotels. The sale netted $50,111.
In the meantime Mrs. Lydig had published a book. "Tragic Mansions," telling of the tragedies which are hidden behind the doors of the wealthy, and it was understood that the proceeds of this also would apply on her debts.
Since then Mrs. Lydig had lived quietly and alone.
It was announced last night on behalf of the family that the funeral services would be private. The will be held Monday morning at the home of her sister, Mercedes de Acosta."
Family Members
Siblings
