Key figure

Rebekah Semple (West) Harkness

April 17, 1915–1982

Born April 17, 1915 · St. Louis, Missouri
Married William (Bill) Hale Harkness 1948 (Rebekah 33, William 48) · until death · 34 years
Died 1982 · age 67

Second wife of William Hale Harkness

Life and connections

1898
William L. Harkness and Gunilda: ownership transition around 1898
Between 1897 and 1898, Gunilda was owned by either J. M. Sladen or by A. R. Sladen and J. M. Sladen with home port Wivenhoe in England; her second owner, F. W. Sykes, owned her between 1898 and 1903, during which time her home port was Leith.
From the story: The Sinking of the Gunilda
1899
Florence Harkness Severance — planning and ground-breaking for Harkness Chapel
Shortly after Florence Harkness Severance’s death, Louis Severance and Anna M. Richardson Harkness (62) provided funds to erect a building in her memory at Western Reserve College. Louis Severance, Henry R. Hatch, and Hiram Haydn formed a planning committee and hired Charles F. Schweinfurth as architects. Ground was broken on June 14, 1899.
From the story: Florence Harkness Severance
1906
Edward Stephen Harkness (32) purchased a vacant lot from John R. Ford
On June 1, 1906, Edward Stephen Harkness (32) purchased a vacant lot at the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue and 75th Street from John R. Ford.
From the story: Harkness House, New York, NY
1915
Birth of Rebekah Harkness
Rebekah Harkness was born on April 17, 1915.
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
1915-04-17
Rebekah Semple (West) Harkness born
Born in St. Louis, Missouri.
1922
William Hale Harkness (22) becomes an initial investor in Time magazine
The article states that in 1922, William Hale Harkness (22) and his mother were initial investors in a publishing venture launched by Briton Hadden and Henry R. Luce, which became Time, The Weekly News Magazine.
From the story: Taylor Swift sings about Bill and Rebekah Harkness in “American Dynasty”
1939
Marriage of Rebekah Harkness (24) and Dickson Pierce
In 1939, Rebekah Harkness (24) married Dickson Pierce.
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
(date not stated, before 1946)
Children of Rebekah Harkness (31) with Dickson Pierce
Rebekah Harkness (31) and Dickson Pierce had a son named Allen and a daughter named Terry.
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
1947
William Hale Harkness (47) married Rebekah Semple West Pierce
William Hale Harkness (47) married Rebekah Semple West Pierce on October 1, 1947.
From the story: William Lamon Harkness
1948
Marriage of Rebekah Harkness (33) and William Hale Harkness (48)
In 1948, Rebekah Harkness (33) married William Hale Harkness (48).
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
1956
Death of William Hale Harkness (56)
The article says William Hale Harkness (56) passed away from a heart attack at age 54 after 6 years of marriage to Rebekah Semple West; since he was 46 in 1948, this implies a death year of 1956.
From the story: Taylor Swift sings about Bill and Rebekah Harkness in “American Dynasty”
1962
Rebekah Harkness (47) transforms Holiday House for the Joffrey Ballet
In 1962, Rebekah Harkness (47) transformed her Rhode Island property, Holiday House, into a summer retreat for the Joffrey Ballet.
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
1977
Rebekah Harkness (62) seeks rehab at Silver Hill
In 1977, Rebekah Harkness (62) sought help at the Silver Hill rehab center in Connecticut.
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
1982
Death of Rebekah Harkness (67)
In 1982, Rebekah Harkness (67) died at age 67 after a long battle with cancer.
Ends 34 years of marriage (1948–1982)
From the story: Oh, Rebekah! Burning through the money!
1982
Rebekah Semple (West) Harkness (67) died
2020
Taylor Swift releases “The Last Great American Dynasty”
The article states that in 2020 Taylor Swift paid homage to William Hale Harkness (120) and Rebekah Semple West on her Folklore album with the song “The Last Great American Dynasty.”
From the story: Taylor Swift sings about Bill and Rebekah Harkness in “American Dynasty”