Corinne Alsop Cole

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

(1886-07-02)July 2, 1886
Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedJune 23, 1971(1971-06-23) (aged 84)
Avon, Connecticut, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Joseph Wright Alsop IV
​
​
(m. 1909; died 1953)​

Francis W. Cole
​
​
(m. 1956; died 1966)​
RelationsSee Roosevelt family
ChildrenJoseph Wright Alsop V
Corinne Roosevelt Alsop
Stewart Johonnot Oliver Alsop
John deKoven Alsop
ParentsDouglas Robinson Jr.
Corinne Roosevelt
EducationAllenswood Academy
ProfessionPolitician

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 U.S. 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 Mlle. Marie Souvestre and though 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. Though 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. When 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 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 and Corinne herself in 1971 at 84 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, including Hendon Chubb, founder of the Chubb Fellowship, Percy Chubb III, president of the Victoria Foundation, Joseph Chubb, James Chubb, Caldecot Chubb, a film producer, 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
  1. Brogan, Hugh and Mosley, Charles American Presidential Families October 1993, page 568
  2. Times, Special To The New York (15 April 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 20 February 2017.
  3. "Robinson–Roosevelt – A Beautiful Church Wedding and a Brilliant House Reception". The New York Times. 30 April 1882. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  4. "Douglas Robinson, Jr. + Corinne Roosevelt". Stanford.edu. Archived from the original on 2013-10-30. Retrieved 2018-01-15.
  5. "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. 18 March 1905. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  6. "Joseph W. Alsop of Connecticut, 76; Father of Columnists is Dead – Republican Party Official Led Insurance Concerns". The New York Times. 18 March 1953. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  7. Eric Pace (August 29, 1989). "Joseph Alsop Dies at Home at 78". The New York Times. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  8. Martin, Douglas (20 August 2004). "Susan Mary Alsop, 86, Washington Hostess and Author". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  9. Saxon, Wolfgang (24 December 1997). "Corinne Chubb, 85, Philanthropist to Newark". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  10. Clark, Alfred E. (11 October 1982). "Percy Chubb 2d, 73; Insurance Executive and a Bank Director". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  11. "Stewart Alsop, Columnist, Is Dead at 60". The New York Times. 27 May 1974. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  12. Applegate, Edd (2009). Advocacy Journalists: A Biographical Dictionary of Writers and Editors. Scarecrow Press. p. 13. ISBN 9780810869295. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  13. Saxon, Wolfgang (17 April 2000). "John Alsop, 84, G.O.P. Figure In Connecticut". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  14. "Augusta McL Robinson Wed in Hartford To'John Alsop of Connecticut Assembly". The New York Times. 20 June 1947. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  15. Times, Special To the New York (June 25, 1971). "Mrs. C. Alsop Cole, Mother of Writers". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.