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Evelyn Nesbit: Life Story and Photos of the Enchanting Beauty of the Gilded Age

Born Florence Evelyn Nesbit on December 25, 1884, in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Winfield Scott Nesbit and Evelyn Florence McKenzie. Following her father’s death in 1895, her mother struggled to provide for the family, and they eventually relocated to Philadelphia. It was here that Evelyn’s beauty and talent for modeling were first discovered.

Evelyn Nesbit’s Rise to Stardom

At the age of 14, Evelyn began her career as an artist’s model, working with prominent illustrators and photographers of the time. She quickly gained popularity due to her ethereal beauty and striking presence, leading her to the theatre world. In 1901, she made her stage debut in the chorus of the Broadway musical “Florodora.”

Evelyn’s allure and talent caught the attention of renowned architect Stanford White, who would become an influential figure in her life. With his support, her career soared as she appeared in numerous theatrical productions, advertisements, and magazine covers. Evelyn Nesbit became the ultimate “Gibson Girl,” the epitome of feminine beauty and grace during the early 20th century.

The Girl on the Red Velvet Swing

One of the most infamous chapters of Evelyn’s life was her relationship with Stanford White. The older, married man became enamored with the young beauty, and they began a secret affair. White’s possessiveness and controlling nature were evident in his lavish gifts, including the notorious red velvet swing installed in his Manhattan apartment. This extravagant item would later symbolize their illicit affair and a focal point of the ensuing scandal.

The Trial of the Century

Evelyn’s life turned dark when she married millionaire playboy Harry K. Thaw in 1905. Thaw was a troubled man with a history of mental instability and violent outbursts. Obsessed with Evelyn’s previous relationship with Stanford White, Thaw’s jealousy reached a boiling point on June 25, 1906. During a performance at Madison Square Garden’s rooftop theater, Thaw shot and killed White in front of a shocked audience.

The ensuing trial was dubbed “The Trial of the Century,” The nation was captivated by the sordid details of Evelyn’s life and relationships. The case ended in a hung jury, but a second trial found Thaw not guilty because of insanity. He was committed to a mental institution, while Evelyn was left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life.

Life After the Trial

Following the trial, Evelyn struggled to find footing in a society that had once adored her. She attempted to revive her acting career but found it difficult to escape the shadow of the scandal that followed her. In 1915, she divorced Thaw, and they engaged in a bitter custody battle over their son, Russell.

Determined to rebuild her life, Evelyn ventured into various business endeavors, including running a tea room and a brief stint as a silent film actress. However, these ventures were short-lived, and she ultimately faded.

In her later years, Evelyn faced financial hardship and battled addiction. Despite these struggles, she found solace in her artistic pursuits, turning to painting and sculpting as self-expression. She lived a quiet life, far removed from the glamour and tumult of her past.

Evelyn Nesbit’s life remains a captivating tale of beauty, tragedy, and scandal. Her influence can still be seen in today’s popular culture, with her story inspiring books, films, and even a Broadway musical titled “Ragtime.” As one of the first supermodels and a symbol of the Gilded Age, her legacy is a reminder of a bygone era.

#2 Evelyn Nesbit, looks at herself as she was 50 years ago. Joan Collins portrays Miss Nesbit in the screen story of her life, The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, 1955.

#3 Evelyn Nesbit, returns to the States after a long absence on the United Fruit Liner “Calamares”, 1930.

#4 Harry Thaw and his ex-wife, Evelyn Nesbit, appeared at dinner with their son Russell and later attended nightclubs enjoying each other’s company

#5 Evelyn Nesbit Thaw posing on a tiger rug in a colorized photo

#6 Evelyn Nesbit, actress, posing with a hat and white fox fur stole

#7 Lobby card for the film A Fallen Idol 1919 featuring Evelyn Nesbit.

#8 Evelyn Nesbit, central witness in the ‘Girl on a Red Velvet Swing’ murder case in 1906 where her husband shot and killed Stanford White over an alleged affair with her.

#9 Evelyn Nesbit Thaw celebrated ideal Gibson Girl of New York society and wife of eccentric millionaire Harry K. Thaw who shot noted architect Stanford White.

#10 Evelyn Nesbit, model and actress involved in the murder of her former lover Stanford White in 1906

#11 Evelyn Nesbit playing with her son Russell on a lounge chair, 1903.

#13 Evelyn Nesbit posing on the head of a tiger rug, 1902.

#14 Evelyn Nesbit shown in a head and shoulders portrait, “A Waif”, 1902.

#15 Portrait of American actor and model Evelyn Nesbit posing on a bearskin rug in a kimono, 1902.

#16 Portrait of Evelyn Nesbit by Gertrude Kasebier, 1900.

#18 Evelyn Nesbit posing on a bear-skin rug in a postcard titled “Ready for Mischief”, 1898.

#20 Evelyn Nesbit on the set of the silent film “The Woman Who Gave”, 1918.

#21 Evelyn Nesbit in a colored postcard titled “The Little Butterfly” by Rudolph Eickemeyer Jr., restored from original postcard by Montana Photographer, 1902.

#23 Evelyn Nesbit posing as “Tired Butterfly” in a 1909

#24 Evelyn Nesbit photographed by Rudolf Eickemeyer Jr., 1902.

#25 Evelyn Nesbit, popular American chorus girl and artists’ model, appearing in mass circulation newspapers and magazines in the early 20th century

#27 Evelyn Nesbit Thaw and her partner in an original dance pose, typical for modern dances from New York

#28 Evelyn Nesbit in the film ‘Thou Shalt Not’, 1919.

#30 Portrait of Evelyn Nesbit from the Harvard Theatre Collection.

#33 Evelyn Nesbit appearing in mass circulation newspapers and magazines in the early part of the 20th century.

#34 Joan Collins as Evelyn Nesbit in the film “The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing”, 1955, directed by Richard Fleischer.

#38 Portrait photograph of Mrs. Harry K. Thaw from the Library of Congress

#40 Evelyn Nesbit Thaw, Mrs. Harry K. Thaw, taken between 1913 and 1942.

#42 Poster for the film “The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing”, 1955.

#44 Evelyn Nesbit from the Harvard Theatre Collection, TCS 2, seq 34.

#48 Evelyn Nesbit from the Harvard Theatre Collection

Written by Nova Roberts

Nova Roberts is a classic Hollywood fanatic and vintage fashion enthusiast.With a love for vintage actresses and actors and a passion for all things retro, Nova is always on the lookout for the next big find. Just don't be surprised if you catch her dancing down the street in a pair of vintage heels and a full-skirted dress, because for Nova, every day is a chance to channel her inner Audrey Hepburn.

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