Baroness of Hobcaw : The Life of Belle W. Baruch

Belle W. Baruch (1899-1964) could outride, outshoot, outhunt, and outsail most of the young men of her elite social circle—abilities that distanced her from other debutantes of 1917. Unapologetic for her athleticism and interests in traditionally masculine pursuits, Baruch towered above male and female counterparts in height and daring. While she is known today for the wildlife conservation and biological research center on the South Carolina coast that bears her family name, Belle's story is a rich narrative about one nonconformist's ties to the land. In Baroness of Hobcaw, Mary E. Miller provides a provocative portrait of this unorthodox woman who gave a gift of monumental importance to the scientific community. Belle's father, Bernard M. Baruch, the so-called Wolf of Wall Street, held sway over the financial and diplomatic world of the early twentieth century and served as an adviser to seven U.S. presidents. In 1905 he bought Hobcaw Barony, a sprawling seaside retreat where he entertained the likes of Churchill and FDR. Belle's daily life at Hobcaw reflects the world of wealthy northerners, including the Vanderbilts and Luces, who bought tracts of southern acreage. Miller details Belle's exploits—fox hunting at Hobcaw, show jumping at Deauville, flying her own plane, traveling with Edith Bolling Wilson, and patrolling the South Carolina beach for spies during World War II. Belle's story also reveals her efforts to win her mother's approval and her father's attention, as well as her unraveling relationships with friends, family, employees, and lovers—both male and female. Miller describes Belle's final success in saving Hobcaw from development as the overarching triumph of a tempestuous life. The riveting biography of an heiress, equestrienne, spy-hunter, and patron of ecologyBelle W. Baruch (1899-1964) could outride, outshoot, outhunt, and outsail most of the young men of her elite social circle—abilities that distanced her from other debutantes of 1917. Unapologetic for her athleticism and interests in traditionally masculine pursuits, Baruch towered above male and female counterparts in height and daring. While she is known today for the wildlife conservation and biological research center on the South Carolina coast that bears her family name, Belle's story is a rich narrative about one nonconformist's ties to the land. In Baroness of Hobcaw, Mary E. Miller provides a provocative portrait of this unorthodox woman who gave a gift of monumental importance to the scientific community.Belle's father, Bernard M. Baruch, the so-called Wolf of Wall Street, held sway over the financial and diplomatic world of the early twentieth century and served as an adviser to seven U.S. presidents. In 1905 he bought Hobcaw Barony, a sprawling seaside retreat where he entertained the likes of Churchill and FDR. Belle's daily life at Hobcaw reflects the world of wealthy northerners, including the Vanderbilts and Luces, who bought tracts of southern acreage. Miller details Belle's exploits—fox hunting at Hobcaw, show jumping at Deauville, flying her own plane, traveling with Edith Bolling Wilson, and patrolling the South Carolina beach for spies during World War II. Belle's story also reveals her efforts to win her mother's approval and her father's attention, as well as her unraveling relationships with friends, family, employees, and lovers—both male and female. Miller describes Belle's final success in saving Hobcaw from development as the overarching triumph of a tempestuous life. Cover 1 Contents 6 List of Illustrations 8 Acknowledgments 10 1 Paternal Pride and Future Hope 12 2 The Only Real Place on Earth 20 3 Life Lessons at Hobcaw 29 4 A Study in Determination 35 5 From Debutante to the World Stage 38 6 Henry Ford and Anti-Semitism 45 7 Resolution and Independence 48 8 Lois Massey 52 9 Travels with Edith Bolling Wilson 56 10 An Awakening 59 11 La Belle Équitation 62 12 Success and Romance at Home and Abroad 67 13 Triumphs with Souriant and Rumors of War 77 14 European Friends and a Fleeting Betrothal 81 15 Bargaining for Bellefield 89 16 Lois Massey and Prewar Europe 95 17 Varvara Hasselbalch’s American Sojourn 101 18 Life Stateside and War Abroad 113 19 Personal and National Turmoil in 1941 134 20 U-Boats and Spies along the Carolina Coast 141 21 Dickie Leyland at Hobcaw Barony 149 22 FDR’s Visit to South Carolina 155 23 War’s End and the End of an Era 163 24 Winds of Change in Postwar America 167 25 Philanthropy and Ecology 186 26 From Constable to Baroness 192 27 Paul Dollfus and Frances Milam 203 28 The Passing of Jean Darthez and Souriant III 209 29 Into the Twilight 214 Epilogue 226 Appendix: Hobcaw Barony Today 228 Notes 232 Bibliography 238 Index 240 A 240 B 240 C 241 D 241 E 242 F 242 G 242 H 242 I 242 J 242 K 243 L 243 M 243 N 243 O 244 P 244 R 244 S 244 T 244 U 245 V 245 W 245 Y 245 Z 245 Daughter of the "Wolf of Wall Street," Belle Baruch (1899-1964) could outride, outshoot, outhunt, and outsail most of the young men of her elite social circle. Unapologetic for her athleticism and interests in traditionally masculine pursuits, Baruch towered above male and female counterparts in height and daring. Miller details Belle's fox hunting at Hobcaw, show jumping at Deauville, flying her own plane, and traveling with Edith Bolling Wilson. She recounts Belle's efforts to win her mother's approval and her father's attention, as well as her unraveling relationships with friends, family, employees, and lovers -- both male and female Daughter of the ""Wolf of Wall Street,"" Belle Baruch could outride, outshoot, outhunt, and outsail most of the young men of her elite social circle. This work details Belle's fox hunting at Hobcaw, show jumping at Deauville, and more. It describes Belle's success in saving Hobcaw from development as the overarching triumph of a tempestuous life.