Edith Rockefeller McCormick reigned as queen of Chicago’s elite – Chicago Tribune Skip to content
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick rides in a carriage used by President Grant in August 1926. Capt. Royal Allen, left, and Brig. Gen. E.H. White help McCormick out of the carriage in front of the Grant Monument in Lincoln Park in Chicago.
Michael Fish / Chicago Tribune
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick rides in a carriage used by President Grant in August 1926. Capt. Royal Allen, left, and Brig. Gen. E.H. White help McCormick out of the carriage in front of the Grant Monument in Lincoln Park in Chicago.
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Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick, the social leader of Chicago, at a costume ball in 1913. Her reign as a society leader extended over many years.
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick, the social leader of Chicago, at a costume ball in 1913. Her reign as a society leader extended over many years.
Edith Rockefeller McCormick with her husband Harold Fowler McCormick in an undated photo. The two divorced in 1921.
Edith Rockefeller McCormick with her husband Harold Fowler McCormick in an undated photo. The two divorced in 1921.
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick rides in a carriage used by President Grant in August 1926. Capt. Royal Allen, left, and Brig. Gen. E.H. White help McCormick out of the carriage in front of the Grant Monument in Lincoln Park in Chicago.
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick rides in a carriage used by President Grant in August 1926. Capt. Royal Allen, left, and Brig. Gen. E.H. White help McCormick out of the carriage in front of the Grant Monument in Lincoln Park in Chicago.
A painting of Edith Rockefeller, 1910.
A painting of Edith Rockefeller, 1910.
Members of the Chicago Zoological Society at their annual meeting at the Palmer House on Jan. 21, 1931, in Chicago. John T. McCutcheon, re-elected president, from left, Anton Cermak, Lester Falk, Graham Aldis, E. H. Bean, Stanley Field, Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick and George W. Dixon.
Members of the Chicago Zoological Society at their annual meeting at the Palmer House on Jan. 21, 1931, in Chicago. John T. McCutcheon, re-elected president, from left, Anton Cermak, Lester Falk, Graham Aldis, E. H. Bean, Stanley Field, Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick and George W. Dixon.
Edwin Krenn and Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick walk on Michigan Avenue on March 27, 1932, as has been their custom for many Easters.
Edwin Krenn and Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick walk on Michigan Avenue on March 27, 1932, as has been their custom for many Easters.
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick, circa 1912.
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick, circa 1912.
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick, circa 1922.
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick, circa 1922.
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick’s Lake Forest home, scene of many social functions, is said to be “dark” following its owner’s financial losses. Part of the estate, records reveal, is subject to a $220,000 mortgage, circa 1932.
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick, one of the directors of the Women's World's Fair, circa 1928.
Mrs. Edith Rockefeller McCormick, one of the directors of the Women’s World’s Fair, circa 1928.
Chicago's most famous social leader, Edith Rockefeller McCormick, died Aug. 25, 1932. More than 5,000 people gathered around her mansion at 1000 Lake Shore Drive to watch the start of her funeral procession.
Chicago’s most famous social leader, Edith Rockefeller McCormick, died Aug. 25, 1932. More than 5,000 people gathered around her mansion at 1000 Lake Shore Drive to watch the start of her funeral procession.