Kathryn will begin the reading at 6 pm, followed by a discussion and book signing. Gertrude sanford legendre was a woman whose adventurous life spanned the twentieth century, beginning in aiken, s. The fabulous life of gertrude sanford legendre, heiress, explorer, socialite, spy legendre was descended from the amsterdam, new york, sanfords who made a fortune in the carpet industry she worked for the office of strategic services, an american spy agency, in world war ii. Though many printed pictures of her expeditions are showcased in her scrapbooks and. By land and by sea about founded in 2008, evening post books specializes in high quality literary fiction and nonfiction written by authors hailing from and writing about the. Gertrude sanford legendre military wiki fandom powered. The fabulous life of gertrude sanford legendre, heiress, explorer, socialite, spy on oct. Heiress, explorer, socialite, spy pub date august th. Bokara legendre, a solo performer, tv host and selfdescribed socialiteturnedsocial activist, died dec. Author kathryn smith first heard about gertrude sanford legendre from a friend who was gathering information online about medway plantation. Most of these slides are of gertrude s travels in north america, africa, europe, asia, oceania, and to islands in the atlantic.
In the months ahead, two biographies will be published about gertrude sanford legendre, late of fishers island, her 6,700acre plantation near charleston, s. Evening post books, a division of evening post industries, which also owns the post and courier, has published the biography gertie. In particular, legendre developed a youthful obsession with big game hunting. Legendre was born in 1902 to an ultrawealthy family in aiken, south carolina, and enjoyed an enviably privileged youth. Publication party for gertie with kathryn smith buxton books. Socialite73 years ago this month, newspaper headlines around the world trumpeted the fate of charlestons own gertrude legendre, the internationally known globetrotter and biggame hunter who was caught behind enemy lines during world war ii. A biography of gertrude sanford legendre, a wealthy socialiteturnedworld war ii spy. But the united states government hesitated to act because she was just too hot to handle. A detail from a portrait of gertrude sanford legendre by sir william. Legendre was born in 1902 to an ultrawealthy family in aiken, south carolina, and. Heiress, explore, socialite, spy on thursday february, 20th at 6. Womens national book association wnba metro atlanta.
She was also a noted explorer, biggame hunter, environmentalist, and owner of medway plantation in south carolina. Letter from gertrude legendre to her husband, sidney legendre, regarding how unhappy she is to be separated from him and apologizing for being irrational. Ms legendre was the granddaughter of henry sanford, founder of the city of sanford. Bokara legendre, solo performer, socialite and buddhist. The fabulous life of gertrude sanford legendre, heiress, explorer, socialite, spy legendre was descended from the amsterdam, new york, sanfords who made a fortune in the carpet industry. The fabulous life of gertrude sanford legendre, heiress, explorer, socialite, spy. Following their marriage, the couple purchased one of south carolinas oldest surviving plantations, medway, to make their home. Gertrude sanford legendre papers, 18362000 lowcountry. Gertie lived a 20th century life full of fun, adventure, derringdo and. Gertrude sanford legendre, 97, socialite turned hunter and. The gertrude sanford legendre collection boasts nearly,000 35mm color slides. Union ave books welcomes author, kathryn smith, for an event about her new book gertie.
Gertrude sanford legendre, an unlikely debutante of the 1920s who forsook society to become a biggame hunter and then to work during world war ii for the office of strategic services, predecessor of the central intelligence agency, died on wednesday at medway, her historic lantation near charleston, s. This book brings to life of high society and how they lived in the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, and beyond. Gertrude sanford married the expeditions coleader sidney j. Gertie sanford married sidney legendre in 1929 in new york. The socialite spy who played so dumb she outsmarted the nazis. Gertrude sanford legendre, an heiress, explorer, socialite and spy, lived a 20th century life full of. The time of my life by gertrude sanford legendre goodreads. Stephen sanford 182619, gertrude sanford legendre s paternal grandfather, was born to u. Also includes loose images of john and jane sanford golfing, laddie on a polo pony, and carola. Man ray and harpers bazaar glamorized her as best they could. This week on the historians podcast, kathryn smith. The fabulous life of getrude sanford legendre, heiress, explorer, socialite, spy 2019 and a guest of the.
She was a daring and fearless woman whose adventures included being the first american woman in uniform held as a pow by the germans during world war ii. Gertrude sanford legendre 19022000 was an american socialite who served as an oss operative during world war ii. The fabulous life of gertrude sanford legendre, heiress, explorer, socialite, spy, a biography of a woman whose adventurous life. Gertrude wrote her first autobiography, the sands ceased to run, in 1947. Gertrude sanford legendre march 29, 1902 march 8, 2000 was an american socialite who. Gertrude ellen dupuy gertie sanford legendre 19022000. However, she always yearned for adventurea desire that biographer smith coauthor. Bos mother, gertrude sanford legendre, grew up in the family house at 9 east 72nd street in new york and in aiken. Kathryn smith has produced another portrait of a strong independent woman in her biography gertie. Read all about her gilded age girlhood, explorations on three continents, hijinks on the french riviera with the lost generation, work for the oss the original american spy agency during world war ii, and her impri. Representative john sanford i 18031857 and mary slack 18031888 of amsterdam n. Ethel studied at the convent of notre dame france before marrying john sanford and moving to america. A chronicle of an american explorer, sportswoman, socialite, and war h. Gertrude sanford legendre was a woman whose adventurous life began in aiken, s.
Gertrude ellen legendre sanford 1902 2000 genealogy. The sanford historical society presents kathryn smith, who will sign copies of her book, gertie. Bokara legendre obituary new york, ny new york times. She is remembered for her aroundtheworld expeditions to collect flora and fauna for museums, her gracious manner and her. The fabulous life of gertrude sanford legendre, heiress, explorer, socialite, spy gertie lived a 20th century life full of fun, adventure, derringdo and drama. Heiress, explorer, socialite, spy by kathryn smith gullah cuisine.
Gertrude sanford legendre, an unlikely debutante of the 1920s who forsook society to become a biggame hunter and then to work during world war ii for the office of strategic services. Are there any books written about gertrude sanford legendre. Join us on the evening of august 29th to celebrate kathryn smiths most recent biography, gertie. Gertie lived a 20th century life full of fun, adventure, derringdo and drama. The gertrude sanford legendre papers college of charleston.
Bestselling author to discuss privilege and patriotism of gertrude. A biography of a socialite with family connections to amsterdam makes the case that the heiress led an adventurous life, including being held by the nazis in world war ii. Prominent winter colony resident focus of authors new book. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Author kathryn smith to speak tuesday, wednesday in. Gertrude sanford legendre, an unlikely debutante of the 1920s who forsook society to become a biggame hunter and then to work during. One can see that in the many images from her archive that were donated to and digitized by the college of charleston. Roaring 20s, gertrude legendre, big game hunting, world war ii, ww ii, nazi, oss, spy, prisoner of war, plantation, medway, south carolina, conservation. The presentation precedes the lunch and the luncheon is followed by a book signing at litchfield books. Gertrude sanford legendre s face was not beautiful.
The fabulous life of gertrude sanford legendre, heiress. Medway was in derelict condition and they restored the home and the grounds over many years. Read all about her gilded age girlhood, explorations on three continents, hijinks on the french riviera with the lost generation, work for the oss the original american spy agency during world war ii, and her imprisonment by the nazis. Gertrude sanford legendre 19022000 was an american socialite who served as a spy during world war ii. Gertrude continues to discuss the business and troubles in managing medway plantations affairs. Author kathryn smith, a former reporter with the aiken standard, will discuss her new gertie. She was famed in charleston for the new years eve costume party she hostessed for more than half a century. Legendre was descended from the amsterdam, new york, sanfords who made a fortune in the carpet industry. Born in aiken, south carolina, she was the daughter of. Daring and fearless, she undertook numerous challenging expeditions for natural history museums, and befriended some of the greatest personalities of the time, including scott and zelda fitzgerald. Heiress, explorer, socialite, spy march 27, 2020 by bob cudmore leave a comment this week on the historians podcast, kathryn smith. The fabulous life of gertrude sanford legendre, heiress, explorer, socialite, spy date.
Author christopher dickey will recount the adventures of gertrude sanford legendre at an upcoming friends of the library at the college of. Born in aiken, south carolina, she was the daughter of new york rug magnate. Gertrude sanford legendre was a largerthanlife 20th century woman whose life will be told in the forthcoming book gertie by kathryn smith. Born in 1902 in aiken, south carolina horse country her family owned famous stables there, gertrude sanford could boast two sanfords for. Gertrude legendre the high life to spy life, and back. Still leading an adventurous life 40 years later, she wrote a second one titled the time of my life. South carolina native gertrude sanford legendre worked for an american spy agency during world war ii and was captured by the germans during the war. How gertie legendre became the first american woman in. Gertrude sanford legendre author recounts her capture and imprisonment by germans soldiers while working the.