A Practical Philanthropist

Filling a gap in the literature, this biography pays tribute to the enduring legacy of an influential and philanthropic pioneer who helped define America’s place in the world of classical music.

Born at the height of the country’s centennial celebration, Mary Louise Curtis was raised by industrious New Englanders who created Ladies’ Home Journal and built it into the most widely read magazine in America. Aside from immense wealth, Mary’s parents bestowed upon their only child a sophisticated understanding of music that would lead to her hands-on involvement in the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia and the founding of the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music in 1924. A strong advocate of practical philanthropy, Mary worked tirelessly to ensure that her school’s mission was fulfilled. She cultivated a vast network of musical connections and provided opportunities to her students for sustained success. Among the many musicians whose careers she fostered were George Antheil, Rose Bampton, Samuel Barber, and Gian Carlo Menotti. Through author Barbara Benedett’s exhaustive research, this notable American philanthropist finally emerges from the shadows, and her immeasurable generosity, business acumen, and vision are fully acknowledged.