Key figure

Edith Harkness

October 24, 1948–1982

Born 1948
Died 1982 · age 34

Daughter of Rebekah and Bill; experienced lifelong mental health struggles and died by suicide.

Across the archive

Stories featuring Edith Harkness

Historical article

The Gold Coast of Long Island and Harkness

The Harkness family has some understated connections to the famous Gold Coast of Long Island, NY.

Historical article

The Sinking of the Gunilda

William L. Harkness, son of Daniel M. Harkness of Bellevue, Ohio, lived a more adventurous life than his father, who stayed in Bellevue and lived a quiet life in a small town.

Historical article

Detailed Life Events Born August 8, 1858, in Bellevue, Ohio Died May 10, 1919 (aged 60) New Hyde Park, New York Resting place Woodlawn Cemetery Education Yale University (Class of 1881) Spouse Edith Hale Children Louise Hale Harkness (1898-1978), William Hale Harkness (1900–1954) Parent(s) Daniel M.

Historical article

The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht

Charles W. Harkness’s first yachting experiences were on his father’s boats Peerless and Twilight.

Historical article

Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!

Rebekah Harkness inherited a Standard Oil fortune from Bill Harkness, then poured millions into ballet, art, Holiday House, and an extravagant life that became legend.

Historical article

Taylor Swift sings about Bill and Rebekah Harkness in “American Dynasty”

What on earth does the Harkness family have to do with Taylor Swift you ask? William (Bill) Harkness

Historical article

The Harkness/Flagler Timeline

View Timeline It’s often fascinating to observe historical events and their connection to concurrent events occurring at the same time.

Life and connections

1891
July 1891: Charles W. Harkness (31) and Mary Warden Harkness (with Edward S. Harkness (17)) arrive at Bar Harbor aboard the Peerless
The Bar Harbor Record noted the arrival of the “handsome steam yacht” Peerless from New York, and reported that a party including Charles W. Harkness (31), Mrs. Harkness, and E. S. Harkness spent a Sunday at the Louisburg hotel.
From the story: The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925
1894
August 1894: Charles W. Harkness (34) arrives at Bar Harbor aboard the Peerless with Edward S. Harkness (20)
The Peerless returned in August 1894 arriving from Newport with its owner, Charles W. Harkness (34), aboard. The guest list included Mary Warden Warden and Edith Worder Warden (Elizabeth Warden Ketterlinus’s sister).
From the story: The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925
1904
Marriage of Edward S. Harkness (30) and Mary Stillman
After graduating from Yale, Edward S. Harkness (30) married Mary Stillman, daughter of the New York attorney Thomas E. Stillman, in 1904.
From the story: Edward S. Harkness gives away the family fortune
1909
Lamon V. Harkness: meeting Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary on the way to the North Pole during 1909
In 1909, during one of Lamon V. Harkness’s adventures on the Wakiva, Lamon V. Harkness met Rear Admiral Robert E. Peary on his way to the North Pole; Peary’s notes describe encountering Harkness’s Wakiva at Cape St. Charles and later stopping again at Hawks Harbor.
From the story: Wakiva II Yacht – Lamon V. Harkness
1911
William L. Harkness and Edith Harkness: grounding and sinking of Gunilda in August 1911
In August 1911, William L. Harkness, Edith Harkness, and their family and friends were on an extended tour of the north shore of Lake Superior. The plan was to fish for speckled trout in Lake Nipigon, requiring travel to Rossport, Ontario, then into Nipigon Bay and through the Schreiber Channel. When Gunilda was about 5 miles off Rossport, she ran hard aground on McGarvey Shoal (Old Man’s Hump), slid off, then keeled over as her masts hit the water; water poured through openings and Gunilda sank within minutes. The crew of James Whalen cut the towline. The article states Lloyd’s of London paid out a $100,000 insurance policy, 'half of what it cost to build it.'
From the story: The Sinking of the Gunilda
1925
August 1925: Edward S. Harkness (51) arrives at Bar Harbor aboard the yacht Cythera
In August 1925, society pages reported the arrival of the yacht Cythera in the harbor, with Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Harkness of New York on board; the article notes that Edward S. Harkness (51) was part of the original 1891 Peerless party.
From the story: The Harkness Family in Bar Harbor: A Chronicle of a Gilded Age Presence, 1891-1925
1935
Edith Hale Harkness’s membership in the New York Yacht Club
The article states that Edith Hale Harkness showed continued membership in the New York Yacht Club as late as 1935.
From the story: The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht
1942
Edith Hale Harkness leased Agawa back to the Navy
The article states that Mrs. Harkness leased the now 30+-year-old yacht back to the Navy for $1 on 3 Mar 1942.
From the story: The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht
1947
Edith Hale Harkness died
Edith passed away in 1947 at the age of 81.
From the story: William Lamon Harkness
1948
Birth of Edith Harkness
Edith Harkness was born on October 24, 1948.
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
1948
Edith Harkness born
1982
Suicide of Edith Harkness (34)
In 1982, Edith Harkness (34) also ended her own life in the same year.
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
1982
Edith Harkness (34) died

Edith Harkness

Stories featuring Edith Harkness

The Gold Coast of Long Island and Harkness

The Sinking of the Gunilda

William Lamon Harkness

The Agawa – C.W. (and Will) Harkness Yacht

Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!

Taylor Swift sings about Bill and Rebekah Harkness in “American Dynasty”

The Harkness/Flagler Timeline