W.R. Coe was a self-made man who forged a new life for himself, along with his family, at age fourteen in the United States. His formative years are often described as a Horatio Alger tale, the author known for his books centered on the rags to richs theme – and how to overcome adversity, pull up your bootstraps, and make something of yourself. It’s true in the sense that W.R. didn’t have the same gilded pedigree as Mai. His childhood became an integral part of his identity and in this way, shaped how he raised his children and the ideals he passed on through his philanthropy. In honor of the anniversary of his June birthday, we will take a closer look at W.R.’s trajectory before his Planting Fields days.
W.R. was born on June 8, 1869, in Kingswinford, Staffordshire, England, the fifth child of Frederick Augustus and Margaret Robinson. His father, Frederick Augustus was a cashier at the Lowesmoor iron works [W.R. notes that he is a “metal worker”.] W.R. was the middle child in this large family; five more siblings arrived after him.
In 1883, Margaret Robinson sailed with seven of her children to the United States on the S.S. Rhodora, a vessel owned by Edwards & Robertson, George Robertson being Margaret’s brother. It’s believed that Frederick relocated the family so he could represent the iron and steel interests of the Fourth Earl of Carnarvon. According to the ship manifest dated August 18, 1883, the family arrived in the Port of New York en route to Philadelphia. The family settled in Cinnaminson, New Jersey and later moved to several different residences in Philadelphia.
A rare out of focus image of the young Coe family: (L-R) Two maids, parents Frederick Augustus and Margaret Robertson Coe, with seven of their children. W.R. is likely the little boy standing in front of the child on the horse looking down, circa 1875. Margaret was Scottish, note one of his brothers in a kilt.
The Coe family, including nine siblings, circa the late 1800s, likely in Philadelphia: (L-R) Robert, W.R., George Vernon, John Beresford, Vivian Cass, Maud Elena, Margaret Frederick, Alice Jane, Frederick Augustus, Margaret Robertson, Augustus Victor, and dog Prince!
“I started to make my living at 15 and did not have the privilege of going to college.” – W.R. Coe, 1946
W.R. soon found employment with William Curtin, an independent Philadelphia insurance broker and average adjuster. The firm was absorbed by Johnson & Higgins, specialists in marine insurance, and W.R. continued to grow as a respected adjuster first in the Philadelphia office and later in Manhattan. In 1890, at age twenty-one, he became a citizen of the United States.
His career provided him with a life changing opportunity: a trip to Europe where he met Mai Rogers aboard the City of New York. Needless to say, this partnership elevated his social and financial status. It afforded him with another pivotal moment: his first trip out west to Montana, which was arranged through a connection at Amalgamated Copper, a subsidiary of Standard Oil, where his father-in-law, H.H. Rogers was Vice President. This marked the beginning of W.R.’s lifelong interest in the American West and his later purchase of property in Cody, Wyoming.
W.R. age 33 in 1902.
W.R. often admonished his sons for not appreciating their privilege. His story, one of an immigrant who worked hard, became successful, and married well took on a mythic proportion. He never forgot his modest upbringing and what he was able to achieve in his lifetime. Below are two excerpts showcasing his handwritten notes which offer a glimpse into the man beyond the myth.
Excerpt from autobiography written for the National Geographic in 1946, note W.R.’s handwritten annotations.
Excerpt from W.R.’s travel journal, 1909, “had a fine voyage, good vessel, stupid crowd”.
Header image: W.R (center) likely on his first hunting expedition in Montana, circa 1905.
All images courtesy of Planting Fields Foundation Archives.
Next month: In honor of the semiquincentennial, we’ll take a closer look at W.R.’s lasting legacy: the American Studies program.
Register for our First Friday’s program on July 3: Led by Director of Collections and Research, Marie Penny, this tour explores W.R.’s enduring passion for American history and identity, from his collecting practices to his philanthropic work in Wyoming and the founding of the American Studies at Yale program, shaping a legacy rooted in the spirit of the nation. Learn more and book this program now!
– from Marie Penny, Director of Collections and Research.