Advertisement

Mary Rozet Smith

Advertisement

Mary Rozet Smith

Birth
Death
22 Feb 1934 (aged 65)
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Burial
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Biography of Mary Rozet Smith
(source: University of IL in Chicago)

Mary Rozet Smith was born on December 23, 1868 to Charles Mather and Sarah (Rozet) Smith. Her family was prosperous and well connected as her father had once worked for the Illinois Central Railroad and later became president of the Bradner-Smith Paper Company. Mary Rozet Smith did not attend college which was not unusual for wealthy young women in the late 1880s, but she did find her way to Hull-House during the first year of its operation.

Mary Rozet Smith by all accounts was a devoted volunteer at Hull-House and she made several substantial financial contributions to its work. Surviving accounts taken from a variety of documents describe her as physically beautiful, graceful, charming and unusually kind. Unlike many of the better known figures at Hull-House, Smith did not devote herself to any specific personal career or project, but she helped others with their work as circumstances required. Smith never resided at Hull-House, but she and Jane Addams maintained a close personal friendship throughout their lives. Mary Rozet Smith often acted as private confidant to Addams and made sure that the latter woman's nieces, nephews, and other relatives received holiday cards, gifts, and correspondence regarding important events in their lives. Jane Addams sought the company of Mary Rozet Smith whenever possible, including her extensive foreign trips during her later years.
Biography of Mary Rozet Smith
(source: University of IL in Chicago)

Mary Rozet Smith was born on December 23, 1868 to Charles Mather and Sarah (Rozet) Smith. Her family was prosperous and well connected as her father had once worked for the Illinois Central Railroad and later became president of the Bradner-Smith Paper Company. Mary Rozet Smith did not attend college which was not unusual for wealthy young women in the late 1880s, but she did find her way to Hull-House during the first year of its operation.

Mary Rozet Smith by all accounts was a devoted volunteer at Hull-House and she made several substantial financial contributions to its work. Surviving accounts taken from a variety of documents describe her as physically beautiful, graceful, charming and unusually kind. Unlike many of the better known figures at Hull-House, Smith did not devote herself to any specific personal career or project, but she helped others with their work as circumstances required. Smith never resided at Hull-House, but she and Jane Addams maintained a close personal friendship throughout their lives. Mary Rozet Smith often acted as private confidant to Addams and made sure that the latter woman's nieces, nephews, and other relatives received holiday cards, gifts, and correspondence regarding important events in their lives. Jane Addams sought the company of Mary Rozet Smith whenever possible, including her extensive foreign trips during her later years.


Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement