Matilda Geddings Gray (1885 – 1971) was an American heiress, businesswoman, art collector, and philanthropist.
Life
She was one of three children born to wealthy oilman John Geddings Gray of New Orleans. Her siblings were brothers Henry and Bill. Upon her father's death, she became heir to his fortune and took over the family oil and timber businesses. With a passion for historic preservation, in 1938 she restored the John Gauche House in the New Orleans
French Quarter. The
Evergreen Plantation, now a
U.S. National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a National Register of Historic Places property types, building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the Federal government of the United States, United States government fo ...
, was one of her projects.
She preferred her philanthropic deeds be low-key, so as not to put her in the spotlight. Among those deeds was an international act of generosity to the nations of France and England to help them cope with post-World War II food shortages. During this time, she shipped over 250,000 pounds of rice to those countries.
Gray collected Fabergé objects, including the
Fabergé eggs Napoleonic
Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...
,
Danish Palaces,
Caucasus, and
Pansy. After her death, her collection of
Fabergé eggs was put on display by the
New Orleans Museum of Art.
In 1935, she traveled to Guatemala where she collected traditional textiles and documented clothing.
Awards and honors
Her philanthropic endeavors earned her the following international honors:
*
Order of the British Empire
*
Order of the Quetzal
The Order of the Quetzal (Spanish: Orden del Quetzal) is Guatemala’s highest honor.
History and award conditions
Established in 1936, it is bestowed by the Government of Guatemala
Politics of Guatemala takes place in a framework of a p ...
(
Guatemala
Guatemala ( ; ), officially the Republic of Guatemala ( es, República de Guatemala, links=no), is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico; to the northeast by Belize and the Caribbean; to the east by H ...
)
*
Legion of Honour (
France)
Legacy
In 1971 The Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation was established in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Its Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation Collection is on long-term loan at The
Metropolitan Museum of Art.
References
External links
*
Further reading
* ''Masterpieces of Fabergé: The Matilda Geddings Gray Foundation Collection'' by John Webster Keefe, New Orleans Museum of Art, 1993 ISBN 0894940406
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gray, Matilda Geddings
20th-century American businesspeople
1885 births
1971 deaths
20th-century American businesswomen
Businesspeople from New Orleans
Philanthropists from Louisiana
20th-century American philanthropists
American women philanthropists
American art collectors
Women art collectors
20th-century women philanthropists