Amazing People of New York: Inspirational Stories

AMAZING PEOPLE OF

NEW YORK DR CHARLES MARGERISON

Amazing People Club is a Supporter of:

INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLERS OF NEW YORK CITY The IBNYC is an alliance of independent booksellers working together to promote the cultural, literary and economic benefits of shopping at the city’s diverse collection of bookstores. We are united in our goal to keep indie bookstores thriving and raise awareness of the vital contributions that these local businesses make to New York City’s rich tradition as a center of publishing and bookselling.

The Amazing People Club® Amazing People of New York Published by Viewpoint Resources Ltd Trading as The Amazing People Club© Dr Charles Margerison 2008 Viewpoint Resources Ltd 10 Grange Road, West Kirby, Wirral, Merseyside, England C48 4HA Tel: +44 (0) 151 625 2332 Fax: +44 (0) 151 625 9961 Web: www.amazingpeopleclub.com Represented by Amazing People Club LLC in North America All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the copyright holder. This publication is provided subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, sold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent, in writing, in any form of binding other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent publisher. BioViews Disclaimer BioView® and the Amazing People Club® are registered trademarks. The published materials, under these marks, represent the views of the author. A BioView® story is a scripted virtual interview based on research about a person’s life and times. As in any story, the words indicate only an interpretation of what the individuals mentioned in the BioViews® could have said. While the interpretations are based on available research, they do not purport to represent the actual views of the people mentioned. The interpretations are made in good faith, recognizing that other interpretations could be made. The inverted commas used in the BioViews® give an indication of possible dialogue in the context of the story. The author and publisher disclaim any responsibility from action that readers take on the BioViews® for educational or other purposes. Any use of the BioView® materials is the responsibility of the reader and should be supported by their independent research. ISBN: 978-1-921629-40-2 Design by Varjak Design www.varjak.com.au

®

Contents The Author’s Note Introduction Jak Lenape – Fisherman Captain Giovanni da Verrazzano – Ship Captain of La Dauphine Captain Henry Hudson – Ship Captain of the Half Moon Peter Minuit – Dutch Director General Jonas Bronk – Landowner Pieter Stuyvesant – Dutch Director General Richard Nicolls – British Governor of New York Stephanus Van Cortlandt – Mayor of New York Elias Neau – French Immigrant and Teacher Anna Zenger – Wife and Newspaper Editor Governor Clinton – British Governor of New York George Washington – Military Leader and First USA President Viewpoints and Quotes George Clinton – First American Governor of New York Julian McEvers – Stockbroker Alexander Hamilton – Lawyer, Politician and Publisher Robert Fulton – Steamship Owner and Entrepreneur John Bloomfield Jervis – Engineer Albert Gallatin – Politicians and Benefactor John Jacob Astor – Landowner and Philanthropist Patrick Hanlon – Labor Union Organizer Sojourner Truth – Slave and Abolitionist Albro Lyons – Manager of Colored Sailors Home Clemence Sophia Lozier – Doctor Cornelius Vanderbilt – Shipping and Railroad Entrepreneur Viewpoints and Quotes William Cullen Bryant – Newspaper Editor Frederick Law Olmsted – Architect Thomas Edison – Inventor and Businessman Washington Roebling – Bridge Builder

2 4 6 8 9 10 11 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54 56 58 60

Amazing People of New York

Susan B. Anthony – Women’s Rights Campaigner Mark Twain – Author George Plunkitt – Landowner and Tammany Hall Member Theodore Roosevelt – Politician and Author Mary Lilly – Politician Al Jolson – Singer John D. Rockefeller – Businessman and Philanthropist Damon Runyon – Author Fiorello Henry La Guardia – Politician Viewpoints and Quotes Oscar Hammerstein – Composer Othmar Amman – Architect Margaret Sanger – Health Organizer Robert Moses – City Planner Irving Berlin – Songwriter Leroy Sands – Student Viewpoints and Quotes Population Trends Timeline of Events Films and Musicals Songs about New York Annual Celebrations Places of Interest Index Amazing People Team

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 82 84 86 90 92 94 96 98 100 104 108 109 112 139 142

Amazing People of New York

The Author’s Note Dr Charles Margerison is a Chartered Psychologist, a member of the Royal Institution and the Royal Literature Society. He is Chairman of Viewpoint Resources Ltd, a publishing organization. Previously, he was Professor of Management at the University of Cranfield, UK, and also at the University of Queensland, Australia. The author of more than ten books on management issues, he has written an innovative continuing professional development system called The Communication and Problem Solving Resource. He is the co-founder of Team Management Systems and the Chairman of Bell Hughes Music Group. He lives in Queensland, Australia. Dr Margerison is the founder and author of the Amazing People Club Series. This unique range is based on BioViews®, a new concept that combines a biography with a virtual interview. The stories are presented as if written by the amazing person concerned and are an interpretation of their life. BioViews® offer new and accessible ways of exploring the lives of people who made major contributions to our world.€They are inspirational stories that can help you achieve your ambitions in your own journey through life. Thanks to Frances Corcoran, Alan Ernst, James Maxwell, Emily Hamilton, Monica Lawlor, Lisa Moffatt, Katharine Smith, Dennis Bedson, Emma Braithwaite and Rodney Bain for their great work on the production of this book. For more information, please visit www.amazingpeopleclub.com.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club



Amazing People of New York

Introduction If you were visiting New York in 1789, you could have met some of the people who helped form the United States of America. At that time, New York was the capital city of a new country. George Washington arrived to acclaim, as the victorious military leader, and was sworn in as the inaugural President. Thirteen years earlier, the war of independence from Britain had commenced in the city, when Washington had led his troops into battle. It was all a long way from the days in 1609 when Captain Henry Hudson sailed into New York Harbor and was amazed at what he found. He returned to Europe to let people know and, as a result, colonists from Holland arrived. One of them was Joseph Bronk who bought land from the native Indians in an area now called the Bronx. It was the start of the fascinating story of how New York came to be one of the world’s great cities. Over the years, many strong people have contributed to the growth and development of the city. Richard Nicolls and his men invaded in 1664 and claimed New York for the British. That was the way it was until 1776, when the Declaration of the Independence was signed. Since then there have been many momentous days in the life of New York and for those who call themselves New Yorkers. There have been fires, riots, plagues, political battles, celebrations, business successes and failures. Above all, New York is a story of how people have survived and succeeded in a city that never sleeps. Over the years, in the New York streets there has been sadness and joy, optimism and pessimism, tragedy and triumph. New York has witnessed the continual growth of a population that today consists of over eight million people, and all that goes with it in terms of building and development. Everyone who has visited New York, even for a day, has their story about New York. In Amazing People of New York, you can gain an impression of what it could have been like to be there on momentous days through BioViews®. This new format combines biography with interview to reveal amazing life stories and great events. Through these inspirational stories you can explore the lives of people who made major contributions. Every city has been home to great individuals who, in their different ways, © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club



Amazing People of New York

have contributed to its development. In this book you can travel with outstanding individuals such as Captain Hudson, Anna Zenger the first female newspaper editor, Frederick Olmsted the architect of Central Park, Mark Twain the great writer, Al Jolson the famous singer, and others who all made their mark on New York. Each of the BioViews® is a creative interpretation of how these amazing individuals may have described their experiences. Collectively they create a pen portrait of the city, in an interview format that is similar to what we recognize today as a blog. BioViews® are an interpretation of views based on the known facts. The founding members of the Amazing People Club have been chosen for their outstanding contributions. They include individuals such as Michelangelo, Mozart, Curie, Nightingale, Leonardo, Einstein, and Shakespeare who appear in the stories of other cities such as London, Paris, and Rome. In this way, it is possible to gain a unique and personal view, through the eyes of those who lived there. Amazing People of New York provides a valuable resource for students, and all involved in education. Anyone who has an interest in New York can enjoy the book to gain a rich and unique insight on the city. This book is part of the Amazing People Club series of books and audio resources which all explore the life stories of people who have contributed to cities, countries and cultures. I trust that you will enjoy meeting those who have made New York the great city that it is today. Dr Charles Margerison

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club



Amazing People of New York

Jak Lenape 1525 Before the white man arrived, life was simple Fishing and hunting Raising our children Living as peacefully as possible Occasionally, we had to fight other tribes Protecting our land rights from intruders was vital I was the leader of the Lenape tribe We had a proud tradition Particularly of welcoming visitors who came in peace One day, a large boat arrived with huge sails on it Who were these people? What tribe did they represent? We sent our warriors out in canoes to meet them They reported the men had white faces We had never seen people like that, nor such a large boat The sailors came ashore and offered us gifts Their leader said his name was Captain Verrazzano The sailors, compared to ourselves, were well dressed We wore breechclouts and moccasins with leggings Our clothes were basic, made to protect us in cold weather Many of the visitors had long beards and did not seem to wash We exchanged gifts After a while, the white faces left Would they return? Maybe, next time, they would bring their tribe I could see trouble lay ahead, if they tried to take our land.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club



Amazing People of New York

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club



Amazing People of New York

Captain Giovanni da Verrazzano 1525 My task was to find and map new land In 1524, we set sail Although an Italian, I worked for King Francis I of France He wanted to acquire territory in the New World We set sail with four ships, but two foundered in the storms Another returned to port, so we were on our own Our voyage, in La Dauphine, continued into the unknown After 44 days, we sighted land and followed a long coastline We sailed north along the coast of America After about a week, we sailed into a great bay It was time to explore the area and maybe rest awhile We found a long island and what we thought was a great lake As we approached landfall, some canoes came to meet us There were Indian warriors in them These people looked most beautiful with their feathers They were taller than us and had a bronze color Their faces were clean-cut, their hair was long and black Clearly, they took great care in decorating it Their eyes seemed black and alert Surprisingly, their manner was sweet and gentle toward us They pointed at themselves and said ’Lenape’ Their women were just as shapely and beautiful Very gracious, of attractive manner and pleasant appearance The land seemed rich in plants and minerals I called the place ‘New Angouleme’ There was a substantial harbor there We encountered another tribe and were also welcomed They called themselves the Wampanoag people We anchored for two weeks and the crew traded with the people We thought that they called the area Narragansett Bay It could be a fine place for a settlement We will return.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club



Amazing People of New York

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club



Amazing People of New York

Captain Henry Hudson 1610 My mission was to find a passage to Asia We had already sailed east without success Therefore, I turned and sailed westwards, across the Atlantic Could we find an easier passage to the fabled riches? The Dutch East India Company employed me An Englishman, from London, captaining a tough crew For weeks, we sailed through the storms and rolling seas We knew from previous mariners that land lay ahead In the ship, named Half Moon, I sighted the shore in 1609 There, I found a great harbor and a long island During the month of September, we explored the region

Charting our way up a grand river, we met many tribes When we landed, the locals were aggressive One of my crew, John Colman, was killed by the natives We moved on, seeking a western passage to Asia Eventually, the river narrowed Again, we saw many Indian tribes They called the place Penpotawotnot It looked to be a place with a lot of potential I marked it as a place for a trading post The local people perhaps thought we would try to take their land Again, they became aggressive and killed two more of my men It was time to leave When we return, we need to be more prepared Yes, prepared to fight and establish a settlement The land could be an important place for business. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club



Amazing People of New York

Peter Minuit 1628 For many years, Dutch sailors had visited America to trade By 1620, discussions with the Carnarsie Indians had been established They were part of the Lenape tribe Would they sell some of their land to us? It was difficult to make arrangements, due to language problems In the meantime, some brave Dutch people set off across the Atlantic 30 families arrived, in 1623, on the New Netherland ship That put pressure on finding a solution to the land issue The new arrivals were mainly of the Protestant faith As religious refugees, they wanted to establish their way of life They called the area ‘New Netherland’ A church was built as well as houses Some tried to convert the Indians to their faith Others converted slaves to Christianity The community survived and made progress Two years later Sarah de Rapaelje was born in Breuckelen (Brooklyn) She was the first child of European parents born in New Netherland I arrived, in 1626, to represent the Dutch West India Company My predecessor had named the town New Amsterdam A fond reminder of our native country As the new Director General, my first job was to secure land rights After many discussions with the Lenape Indians, a deal was agreed I completed the purchase of the long island on May 24th 1626 We agreed on a price of 60 guilders It was the basis upon which we could establish a Dutch colony A place where we could develop our way of life and do business The summers were hot and the winters very cold Soon, we had about 200 Dutch people living in the colony Fishing, farming and hunting were their main areas of business In particular, we exported beaver pelts to Holland New Amsterdam, I felt, could be a profitable place It was strategically situated near the coast It would require hard work, peace and patience.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club



Amazing People of New York

Jonas Bronk 1656 We have survived in this tough land A new generation, many born here, are leading the way In 1641, I bought 500 acres of land It is just north of what I call Long Island African slaves have worked on it for me They were bought at the local market It was an accepted practice in these parts Slaves were first brought to the town in 1626 The Dutch West India Company organized it The slaves had a hard time of it on the boats Sadly, many died during the voyages Those that did arrive were shocked by the conditions The ones from Angola were a proud group of people They were harder to train than others More seasoned slaves came from Curaçao and the West Indies Some masters have treated their slaves poorly I have done my best to treat them properly The slaves have enabled us to transform the land and economy As a result, more free settlers have arrived They are now farming, rather than just hunting furs Our religion welcomes slaves who become believers Two slave couples married recently at our church They are beginning to understand our ways However, eight of them killed another slave To keep strict law and order required that they be severely punished The Company has allowed some slaves freedom They fought for us in the Indian war of 1641-44 We have set up our own system of government Last year, 1655, we elected Thomas Willett as our first Mayor He has had a difficult task governing the four classes The white settlers, the army, the native Americans and the slaves All of them want different things No doubt, there will be conflicts along the way.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

10

Amazing People of New York

Pieter Stuyvesant 1665 The Dutch people have lived here more than 40 years I was appointed the Director General in 1647 Strict laws had to be introduced to settle differences To gain support for decisions, I established an Assembly in 1653 The city of New Amsterdam was incorporated More people arrived and the port area became crowded The new settlers had to develop new fringe areas out of town

Some of the people were from different cultures and religions Notably, Jacob Barsimon, the first Jew to settle in the city Shortly after, 23 Sephardic Jews arrived from Brazil They were refugees aboard the French armed vessel St Charles There were also nationalities from Europe Particularly some Quakers, who arrived in 1657 We were becoming an international community © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

11

Amazing People of New York

It was therefore necessary to expand our territory New building began at the southern tip of the island A protective wall, which people called Wall Street, was built Also, a canal was dug out People named that Broadway Surviving was hard, especially in the harsh winters Also, there were arguments between some religious groups Quakers, in particular, upset me with their attitudes I banned most religious services The Dutch Reformed Church was allowed to continue People in the Flushing area objected to the new rules

Edward Hart and the Sheriff of Flushing, Tobias Feake, were jailed It was called the Flushing Remonstrance However, the Company told me to allow religious freedom I disagreed, as different religious beliefs inflamed people In addition, we had the normal criminal and civil problems To keep the peace, a police force was established Called the Ratelwacht (Burgher Guard), it reported to me © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

12

Amazing People of New York

The Guard enabled people to go about their business Trade expanded, particularly with the introduction of tea By 1660, our number was about 1500 souls The previous year, we had established our first hospital Also, a school was being built However, the native American population, was in decline They suffered from diseases brought by the colonists With low immunity, their number on Long Island was under 500 The population in total increased, as slaves continued to arrive Some of them, who were getting older, could not work In 1661 a slave petitioned for his freedom It was a significant decision, giving hope to many However, all that was about to change The British attacked us in September 1664 Their men arrived in four ships, led by Richard Nicolls Battles raged between our people and their soldiers Sad to say, the British defeated our troops As we were outnumbered, I had no option but to agree terms Eventually, we ceded the colony to the British I wondered what they would do with it.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

13

Amazing People of New York

Richard Nicolls 1668 James, the Duke of York, asked me to sail to America My task was to claim some land on the East Coast His brother Charles II, The King of England, had given it to him The task was easier said than done No one had asked the Dutch, who had formed a colony there Indeed, the reason for the seizure was to punish the Dutch They had been at war with the English for many years Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, we prepared for battle We knew it would be victory or death On arrival, my troops took the colonists by surprise The skills of my 450 men proved too strong for the Dutch We claimed the area they called New Netherland Despite ceding the territory to us, the Dutch continued to fight They objected to our rule and wanted the old Dutch laws After a number of battles, we gained control On February 2nd 1665, the area was renamed I called it New York, in honor of the Duke As the first British Governor, I tried to respect the Dutch Even though they had fought and killed my men They were guaranteed property rights and laws of inheritance Also, religious freedom was encouraged The English system of law was introduced on March 1st 1665 It was called the Duke’s Laws, in honor of the Duke of York Trial by jury was established and proportional taxes on property In short, I introduced order and organization A city charter was awarded to New York on June 12th 1665 However, the colony was not given the power of self-government That remained with the British Monarch and his officials Despite these initiatives, many of the Dutch resisted the changes Conflict ensued and our troops had to restore order An outbreak of yellow fever in 1668 took everyone’s energies Afterwards, the battles continued and extra British troops arrived For New York to be truly British, many more settlers were needed.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

14

Amazing People of New York

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

15

Amazing People of New York

Stephanus Van Cortlandt 1692 The last 30 years have seen much change I was first Mayor of New York to be born in the city My first two-year term started in 1677 In truth, real political control came from London In 1685, New York was declared a Royal Province In April of that year, The Duke of York became King James II He was also King James IV of Scotland The power went to his head He thought everyone should obey him Each ship from London had royal orders for our colony In effect, he regarded himself as King of New York Although he did not have the title, he wanted to be King of America For three long years, he imposed himself During that time, I was again Mayor of New York It was a continual battle against his orders King James declared that our elected Assembly be removed In 1686, we were told that the King had sent new instructions The Dominion of New England had been established Boston was nominated as the capital New York was included on May 7th 1688 Talk of insult and insurrection were in the air The charter arrangements meant direct rule from London Many settlers, particularly the Dutch, objected They would not accept direct rule from England Ironically, King James was deposed in 1689 by King William Dutch by birth, he was married to Mary, daughter of King James Therefore, a Dutchman had the top job in England Yet the Dutch were living under English rule in New York There was much gossip on what would happen next Jacob Leisler, a local Calvinist, took the initiative He led a Protestant uprising in New York in 1689 That is how he became the Lieutenant Governor of New York Introducing democracy, he allowed the poor to have a vote Also, he established the Intercolonial Congress in America © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

16

Amazing People of New York

They met in New York on May 1st 1690 It looked like a possible declaration of independence The British Government once again intervened Richard Ingoldesby and British Army troops went to arrest him They seized him and showed no mercy He was hung, drawn and quartered A later pardon was of little comfort to the settlers Colonists were very angry and the seeds of revolt were sown The people were beginning to have a voice Should they continue to follow the King and the Governor? Or, should they look for another Jacob Leisler? Life was becoming more complicated. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

17

Amazing People of New York

Elias Neau 1715 As an immigrant from France, I chose to live in New York Thousands of others did not have that choice They were captured and brought to the city as slaves Naturally, they were angry They had been on the slave ships, like cattle Indeed, the conditions were appalling Many died on the voyage through overcrowding and lack of food Our port had more slaves arriving in it than in the other colonies Tough pirate captains and crews swaggered through the town Of course, most got drunk and caused trouble In contrast, the slaves lay in cages, crying, waiting to be sold I witnessed it with my own eyes Treating people like that was not right As colonists, we wanted to be free from British rule Equally, slaves wanted to be free of their colonial masters However, the system depended on power and exploitation White settlers succeeded because of slave labor It was a division that would continue to fester In 1700, a new century dawned Celebrated by colonists, but ignored by the slaves There were about 6000 people in New York at that time The colonists were mainly Dutch and English people New immigrants, by choice, arrived all of the time Many from Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Germany People also from Sweden, France, Norway and Denmark There were so many languages spoken, it was hard to communicate Some people still felt loyal to England The new immigrants, from other lands, did not have such views Increasingly, people from the different nations married Their children saw themselves as New Yorkers America was the only country they knew Many Christian religious sects tried to guide people The Huguenots were refugees from persecution in Europe Lutherans and the Dutch Reformed Church were strong © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

18

Amazing People of New York

The Church of England also increased in strength I supported the Church’s Society for the Propagation of the Gospel Who should the people follow? The Monarch in London? The Governor, as the British Government’s representative? The religious leaders of different sects? Increasingly, they preferred their own political leaders Basic education for white children was established The slaves had no school, but they were children of God Therefore, in 1704, I opened a school for black people Many whites opposed it and I was threatened But the school helped those whose masters allowed them to attend Indeed, the number of slaves was increasing

Yet their treatment was not improving In 1709, a slave market was built at the end of Main Street Inevitably, a revolt occurred It was one of many incidents In 1712, slaves killed eight whites in a slave revolt The result: 21 black people were burnt or hung It was time for changes to be made That was happening as a result of more immigration Each year brought new groups of settlers An example was Governor Robert Hunter, who arrived in 1710 He had set sail with 3000 Palatine Germans, to produce naval stores Sadly, about 500 died on the voyage, or shortly after arrival However, 2500 people changed the balance of the nationalities It also meant almost a 50 per cent increase in the population More changes were inevitable. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

19

Amazing People of New York

Anna Zenger 1735 My husband, John, started a newspaper in 1733 The New York Weekly Journal The articles were written by educated people Some of them created problems for us Governor Cosby alleged four of the articles to be seditious He was a mean-spirited, vindictive man Rather than arrest the authors, he picked on my husband For nine months, John was locked in a miserable prison During that time, I kept the newspaper going So, I became the first female printer and editor in New York It was a difficult time, as we had five children James Alexander became our defense attorney He objected to members of the jury Judge Delancey disbarred him More politics than justice The case dragged on and I feared for my husband’s welfare When I visited the prison, he was in despair Kept in poor conditions, his prison cell would depress anyone Eventually, Andrew Hamilton came to our aid, as defense counsel He persuaded the jury, with a great speech On August 5th 1735, my husband was declared innocent of sedition Citizens gave Andrew Hamilton the freedom of New York They cited his defense of the rights of mankind and the liberty of the press The John Peter Zenger Trial became a basis for justice in New York Also, it was the foundation of important democratic principles Everyone was entitled to a fair trial Freedom of speech had to be upheld Freedom of the press had been established The price paid for those freedoms was high May others guard them carefully.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

20

Amazing People of New York

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

21

Amazing People of New York

Governor Clinton 1750 The right to express a view has been accepted in New York The first synagogue in the city was built in 1728 It was a sign of our acceptance of different religious sects A form of democracy, where people could vote with their beliefs William Johnson brought 12 Irish families in 1738 That strengthened the Roman Catholic fraternity They added to the many sects and religious groups Yet, similar tolerance for political views was not allowed Being a colony meant that we lived under British rule In 1743, I became the Royal Governor of New York Appointed by George II, King of Britain However, it was not possible to rule by order My predecessor, Governor Clark, was a rationalist He urged ‘dutiful obedience to the English Court’ The New York Assembly of colonists did not like that They wanted more local control In particular, they claimed more civil and religious liberties As an ex-naval captain, I tried to impose some order However, I realized the reality of the politics My advice to the King, in 1748, read as follows “The King must enforce the authority of his own Commission Or else resolve to give up the government of this province” It seemed to me it was only a matter of time before a revolution There were about 500,000 colonists in the country About one third of the population were slaves Ironically, some of them looked white, rather than black Descendants of inter-racial marriages New York was a growing city with about 15,000 people A number of them had become rich and powerful The strongest voices came from two families The Livingstons and the DeLanceys DeLancey was a Chief Justice However, the power increasingly was with the masses Most of the people were not born in Britain © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

22

Amazing People of New York

Many settlers came from other lands They had few attachments to ‘ye olde countrie’ My job, trying to represent the British Government, was difficult The New York Assembly was pressing me for decisions They said no taxation without their consent That was the test issue It is one on which the colonists will fight I fear the worst.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

23

Amazing People of New York

George Washington 1776 After the speeches, action had to follow As colonists, we had long declared that there must be change The unrest had been simmering since I was a boy and before The so-called New York Assembly had no real power That became obvious in 1766 The Parliament in London passed the Declaratory Act It meant they could make the laws governing the American colonies What right did they have to do that? The British King and his lackeys did not represent our interests Worse, the laws they made created major problems In 1764, the Currency Act said we could not print paper money Nor could gold and silver be imported That made us dependent on London and stifled trade Therefore, our standard of living started to fall Worse followed with other senseless Acts The Restraining Act suspended the New York Legislature Resentment led us onto the road of revolution Concerned colonists met in Philadelphia in 1774 Thomas Jefferson was asked to draw up our statement of intent Our requirements were sent to London When no satisfactory answers arrived, we had to act On July 3rd 1775, I was appointed the Commander-in-Chief An army was assembled and we started to train The British responded by sending more soldiers On July 9th 1776, I called my troops together in New York I read to them, carefully and slowly, an important document The Declaration of Independence No other sound was heard, until I had finished Then, there was a great cheer and celebration However, we had only 9000 men in the New York area In my speech to them I said: “Remember, officers and soldiers, that you are free men You are fighting for the blessings of liberty Slavery will be your portion if you do not acquit yourselves like men” © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

24

Amazing People of New York

Yet, that was only the beginning 30 war ships of the British Fleet arrived Also, they had 300 supply ships Over 30,000 soldiers and 10,000 sailors arrived It was to be literally a battle royal The British Monarchy and Government against the colonists In August, the Battle of Long Island stretched us to the limit Over 3000 of my troops were killed or injured Outnumbered two to one, it was necessary to retreat Crossing the river, under the cover of night fog, we escaped Better to preserve our forces and fight another day on our terms New York was in the hands of the British It was time to plan the fight back for our Continental Army My rules of engagement were sent to every soldier A new start had been made.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

25

Amazing People of New York

Viewpoints and Quotes

Frances Trollope “Situated on an island, which I think it will one day cover, it rises like Venice, from the sea, and like the fairest of cities in the days of her glory, receives into its lap tribute of all the riches of the earth.” Domestic Manners of Americans 1832

Walt Whitman “Silence? What can New York - noisy, roaring, rumbling, tumbling, bustling, story, turbulent New York-have to do with silence? Amid the universal clatter, the incessant din of business, the all swallowing vortex of the great money whirlpool - who has any, even distant, idea of the profound repose......of silence?” New York: From Manhattan to Montauk’ (collection of essays from 1850s)

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

26

Amazing People of New York

Viewpoints and Quotes

John Jay Chapman “The present in New York is so powerful that the past is lost.” Letter, 1898

Helen Keller “Cut off as I am, it is inevitable that I should sometimes feel like a shadow walking in a shadowy world. When this happens I ask to be taken to New York City. Always I return home weary but I have the comforting certainty that mankind is real flesh and I myself am not a dream.” Midstream: My Later Life 1929

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

27

Amazing People of New York

George Clinton 1795 I had seen our ‘Tree of Liberty’ cut down by British soldiers It was an insult of the highest order As members of the Sons of Liberty, we made an angry protest Nearly 3000 citizens met in City Hall Park We put up a ‘Pole of Liberty’ Elsewhere, stronger action had been taken It was an important event in our revolution It rallied people to the cause New Yorkers wanted action and action they took On July 9th 1776, the Province of New York ceased to exist With it went the British Governor, the taxes, the laws and Courts We had a new organization to represent us The Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York On July 11th 1776, the Constitution of New York was established The following year, it became our law-making framework We back-dated the birth of New York State to April 20th 1775 The battle that followed meant that we had to vacate the city However, we continued on, across the East River I would rather ‘roast in hell than be dependent on Great Britain’ In 1778, I was elected the first Governor of New York Pleased to say I was no relation to the last British Governor He had departed in 1753 Rallying the troops and the people, I was re-elected five times As Governor from 1778 to 1795, it was a tough job There were many battles fought against the British army Good men were killed on both sides Our march towards freedom continued On February 3rd 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed The American War of Independence had been won New York City was declared the nation’s capital in 1785 Interestingly, that was decided before New York joined the Union In 1788, we were the 11th State to do so Increasingly, our city was a focus for power politics It replaced London as our center of power © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

28

Amazing People of New York

In 1789, George Washington came to the Federal Hall on Wall Street He emerged as the first President of our new country 13 years after reading the Declaration of Independence to his troops He will now lead our nation. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

29

Amazing People of New York

Julian McEvers 1800 After the War of Independence, our new era of self-government began It was also a period of rapid economic development More and more ships entered New York Harbor Some brought free immigrants Some brought bonded slaves Most of the ships brought food and materials There was even trade with the British, whom we had defeated Business was booming But social conditions were poor There were so many people and not enough accommodation Sanitation was inadequate and there was always a bad smell in the air The lack of proper toilet facilities led to many diseases Horses and people crowded the narrow streets When it rained, there was mud everywhere Water had to be carried from the pumps Washing facilities were insufficient and clothes lines were full Personal bathing was a low priority There was a need to improve conditions at all levels To do this, we needed more businesses to succeed Entrepreneurs wanted to raise money for new ventures People with savings wanted to invest in organizations A financial market was required to facilitate business On May 17th 1792, The Buttonwood Agreement was signed 24 stockbrokers met outside 68 Wall Street I was one of them We provided a market to help people produce, buy and sell Our meetings were held at the Tontine Coffee House A commission system for buying and selling stocks was agreed New enterprises created more employment Wall Street became the center for business deals Later, we changed the name It was the start of The New York Stock and Exchange Board Gradually, new businesses started and there was more employment The arrival of a new century raised hopes and ambitions © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

30

Amazing People of New York

Celebrations were held with much drinking and dancing What would the new century bring? How would New York develop? Would our new Stock Market create better conditions?

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

31

Amazing People of New York

Alexander Hamilton 1801 Winning the battle for independence was only the beginning Working with George Washington, I led many of our triumphant troops Once the battles were won, we needed to win the peace Therefore, I went to another field of battle Politics is the art of influence and persuasion As the Secretary of the Treasury there were many who tried to seduce me Tough decisions had to be made as resources were scarce But my heart lay elsewhere, in the practice of law A profession that stood between anarchy and destruction Trying to protect the rights of people and property Therefore, I gained entry to the New York Bar in 1783 My attention shifted to building new institutions The coast guard needed strengthening The Revenue Cutter Service was established to collect taxes and duties In 1784, I started the Bank of New York Also work on the National Mint, the first national bank, was commenced An essential organization to finance trade and create employment As well, I served the New York County and State Legislatures Leading me to be at the heart of the founding of our country We needed freedom to disagree The right of free speech was central to our cause Therefore, I championed and funded a newspaper It became known as the New York Evening Post in 1801 The city was growing at a rapid pace There was a need to capture events and inform It was also a way of influencing political debate To that end, I supported the right wing A voice for justice, education and choice Yet, my own voice was questioned A duel with Vice President Burr led to a mortal gunshot wound Emotion had overcome reason Yet, it was reason that I trusted would prevail New York and our country would need it in abundance.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

32

Amazing People of New York

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

33

Amazing People of New York

Robert Fulton 1815 Steamboats on the New York rivers made the city prosperous Many people gave me the credit for that It started with a steam engine built in England by Watt and Boulton This reached New York in 1806 At Charles Browne’s shipyard in New York, we built a vessel The North River Steamboat, later called The Clermont The first commercial paddle steamboat ship Some people called it ‘Fulton’s Folly’ Could it be made commercially successful? The next year, all the planning was put to the test August 17th 1807 was the big day The ship was used for transporting people and goods It was described in graphic terms as follows: “A huge monster, vomiting fire and smoke from its throat Lashing the water with its fins, and shaking the river with its roar” The monster became a success Sailing up the Hudson River, it linked New York and Albany People were able to travel more easily Also, more trade between the cities led to more employment Business in Brooklyn and New Jersey noticeably improved An observer wrote that our city was a ‘permanent fair’ He said, “Huge business deals are made with fictitious capital” So it was that New York moved forward on investments New technology has increasingly been adopted Speeding up production and distribution With the age of steam and horse power as the measure The speed of a horse determined travel times Steam engines are about to change all that With capitalism in full swing, fortunes are being made and lost The new industrial age has arrived.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

34

Amazing People of New York

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

35

Amazing People of New York

John Bloomfield Jervis 1837 New York developed into a city of stature Only the great hurricane storm of 1821 halted trade Norfolk and Long Island suffered badly Major investment work soon restarted The Erie Canal was completed in 1826 Opening shipping routes from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic New York was a major beneficiary of this trade Other communication systems also arrived Abraham Brower developed the first public transport in 1827 The next year, John Mason started an important link The New York and Harlem Railroad They were signs of things to come The transport and communications revolutions had begun Other things were coming to an end The slave trade was abolished in New York, in 1828 However, prejudice and attitudes remained much the same Children of slaves had to serve out their time But a new age had begun, socially and industrially This was also reflected in new railway technology I became the Chief Engineer of The Mohawk and Hudson Railroad The first steam train in New York State commenced in 1831 The De Witt Clinton was the third engine in the country It was amazing to see a moving metal monster Spouting fumes, it was a fearsome sight The railroad age had arrived As a result more and more people came to New York By 1835, the city had overtaken Philadelphia in population size Yet, tragedy hit us in the same year The Great Fire of New York It was mid-winter and temperatures fell below freezing A fire in one wooden building quickly spread The flames were roaring, red hot into the night sky Mothers and fathers, carrying their children, ran into the streets Businesses were burnt to the ground © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

36

Amazing People of New York

Yet, only two people were killed The fire destroyed most of Manhattan and the Wall Street area About 700 buildings were burnt down over 17 blocks Everyone in the city was shocked

Many people lost their homes and jobs Some wondered if New York would ever be the same But within a short period of time, new buildings were being built Optimism led to speculation fever The bubble burst with a banking crisis in May 1837 It was a time to start again. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

37

Amazing People of New York

Albert Gallatin 1840 Arriving in America from my native Switzerland, I saw opportunities It was in the early 1780s and the colonists were in revolt They were winning the war against their British rulers A new country was about to be formed In 1789, that became a reality, when George Washington became President As a new immigrant in a new land, it was not easy to become established Moving to Pennsylvania, I tried farming and fishing But, that kind of work was not for me Next, I taught my native French language and it helped me make a living But, my ambitions lay in the field of politics Having learned to speak English, I was elected to the US Senate in 1793 Then, someone said that I did not have nine years of citizenship So I was removed, but re-elected in 1795 and was House Majority Leader As one of the House of Representatives, I helped form the law and traditions My knowledge of finance helped me form the House Committee on Finance Later, I became Secretary of State for Finance in the Jefferson Administration A post that I held for thirteen years, working hard to balance the books Not an easy job at the time of the 1812 war My knowledge of French enabled me to make many contributions A key part of my work was involved in the Louisiana Purchase from France In addition, I was asked to be the United States Minister to France During the five year period from 1814, I made many connections Then, it was time to return and I noticed the growth of the American cities Planning their development I regarded as a great challenge Also, many expeditions were supported and new territories discovered In due course, I was asked to represent the American Government in London For two years, 1826 and 1827, I served at the Court of St James On my return, I chose to live in New York The city had grown rapidly and was like a country within a country There was a need to help people learn and develop to meet the needs My own learning and professional experience had been extensive It was time to plan for the future and invest in education A new country needed to develop the talents of its youth It was time to develop a place where a new generation could learn © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

38

Amazing People of New York

I gathered my friends in New York and put an important proposal to them The city needed and deserved a first class university We set to work and raised funds from many people Many planning meetings were held and hundreds of documents written It took a long time to find a building and appoint the staff Eventually, on April 18th, 1831, New York University opened its doors There were 158 students registered in the initial group It was the start of a great wave of people who would follow

We added to the great work done by Kings College, founded in 1754 That became Columbia University Those two great institutions laid the foundation for higher learning Other organizations and institutions supported the initiatives Benefactors, as well as Government support, encouraged new developments New York had become a major center for higher learning and research My research focused on the ethnology and language of native Indians It was important to understand their culture New York was a meeting point for many views and voices It was a privilege for me, as an immigrant, to have been involved. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

39

Amazing People of New York

John Jacob Astor 1848 Opportunities appear, but can disappear just as quickly The reason is that other people see their value and seize them My philosophy was to take action and convert opportunity into profit In doing so, I became a leading business entrepreneur in America It was not easy as English was not my first language Having been born near Heidelberg, my family spoke German As a young man, I wanted adventure and travel, so I set sail for America Arriving in 1784, I found the colonists had defeated the British A new era had begun and those with business talent were welcome Fortunately, my girlfriend, Sara Todd, who I met in America, helped me She helped me learn about the culture and the way of life We married in 1785 and she became my best business adviser It was a whirlwind life of one deal after another The British established the Jay Treaty which enabled trade with Canada The Canadians were able to supply animal furs People in America needed them to keep out the winter cold That became my first major venture as I bought them from the trappers Arranging transport to the emerging towns and cities, I sold them at a profit Other deals took me to many places, particularly China I bought tea, sandalwood and spices, to be sold in my new country Along the way, I met with leading politicians They realized my links and connections could be helpful The Vice President, Aaron Burr, arranged for me to gain property It was a 99 year lease on the island of Manhattan What an opportunity! If I had my life over again, I would have bought the whole island After sub-dividing the land into 250 plots I sub-leased them It was the start of the great property development in New York In addition, my trading activities continued In 1808, the President helped me set up the American Fur Trading Company Other similar ventures on the Pacific Coast and Columbia River followed Although problems occurred during the 1812 war, we rebounded The USA Government provided trade protection in 1817 It was a license to print money © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

40

Amazing People of New York

With the vast income I bought more land in New York Manhattan was my preferred place as it was expanding rapidly As a result, the banks had even more confidence in my business judgment They lent me more money and I turned it to good advantage I was able to support charities, cultural development and politics My interests were wide-ranging, from ornithology to art As one of my sons was severely disabled, I supported medical research My wife and I and our seven children lived in New York I asked them to continue with the spirit of giving In my will I left many bequests to guide them and others In particular, money was provided for the Astor Library It was my hope that it would form the basis for the New York State Library Such a public facility could help others develop their knowledge and talent In so doing, I hoped they would further develop New York and America. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

41

Amazing People of New York

Patrick Hanlon 1855 Wave after wave of immigrants arrived in New York Including me and my family from Ireland The potato famine forced us and others to leave Some left it too late and died With no possessions, we had set off for an unknown land After weeks on a boat, we were pleased to see dry land However, we wondered what lay before us We found New York City in shock and rebuilding The 1837 banking crisis had created unemployment We wondered if we had made the right decision Friends took us in and helped us get started During the 1840s, things began to improve It was possible to get work, but at low rates of pay Messages from Britain and mainland Europe told of innovations Steam engines, gas lights, telegraph machines Wonders of the age - they soon came to our new homeland The launch of The New York Times in 1851 spread the word Sadly, I could not read it, but I resolved to learn Night school classes for immigrants were helpful Learning how to read and write opened other opportunities In the process, I made new friends who were also learning All around the city, building projects were starting Large sums were raised and invested in grand projects For example, The Hudson River Railroad opened in 1851 New York became a distribution center and jobs were created Established people had money to spend But the immigrants were mainly poor people Families lived in crowded run-down blocks Most of my friends did not have skills to work in the city Back home, they had worked on farms To survive, everyone had to learn quickly Factories developed in back streets Gas lights made it possible to work at night The age of steam changed production methods © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

42

Amazing People of New York

Great engines provided energy The buildings were growing taller Yet, the working conditions were poor There was little protection for the workers I therefore joined a union group to press for change One of the first priorities was to help new immigrants A new reception facility, for people arriving by sea, opened Castle Garden was a pleasant name for the first point of call The Immigrant Landing Station for New York Here, the realities set in for newcomers They were joining over 1,500,000 people All competing for space and jobs It was hard work, as the streets were not paved with gold. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

43

Amazing People of New York

Sojourner Truth 1865 Born into slavery, I was sold many times First, when I was only eight years old My fourth owner was John Dumont of West Park, New York At the age of 13, I went to work on his estate That was in 1811, 12 years after the anti-slave legislation began New York State had started the abolition process in 1799 No one told me or the other slaves Hard work, in between beatings, was our only expectation Slavery meant personal choice was taken from us In 1815, I fell in love with a boy called Robert He was owned by another slave master Any children, therefore, would be owned by that master Dumont married me off to an older slave who he owned That was how it was – no choice The five children I had became Dumont’s property The abolition of the slavery process in New York took 28 years It was not until July 4th 1827 that emancipation came The previous year, I decided to escape I did not run off, for I thought that wicked I walked off, believing that to be alright It was not easy as I had my baby Sophia in my arms My other children I had to leave behind Isaac and Maria Van Wagener gave me work and shelter With their help, I commenced a legal case My son, Peter, had been sold illegally Therefore, I lodged a case and won It proved that white men’s laws could be used by black folks The result was that I was able to regain my son In 1829, we moved to New York City In doing so, I became a devout Christian The start of my ‘equality for all’ campaign During that time, I changed my name From Isabella Baumfree to Soujourner Truth New York was about to enter a new era. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

44

Amazing People of New York

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

45

Amazing People of New York

Albro Lyons 1871 The Civil War brought disaster and death, but also hope for many Starting in April 1861, Americans fought against another What could be worse? Our nation, not yet 100 years old, was ripping itself apart The bitter conflict affected everyone The Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 created divisions The President set free the slaves in the rebel states Conscription for whites in the Union Army was enforced via a lottery African Americans were exempt It was the start of the Civil War Draft Riots – the war within the war For a week, from Monday 13th 1863, there was widespread violence A number of black people were killed in the riots Many people were injured The Colored Orphan Asylum on Fifth Avenue was raided The Colored Sailors Home, which I managed, was attacked It looked as if the civil war had come to New York What could be done? The police stood firm under fire and order was restored Senior businessmen formed the Union League Club They raised money to help those injured and dispossessed Also, they founded a regiment of African Americana Over 1000 men volunteered to join and fight for the Union A grand parade was organized for the regiment One hundred thousand people came to see them march through the city New Yorkers of varying color were now fighting for the Union White and black fighting for the Union From 1861 to 1865, we prayed for their safe return Prayers, however, could not save President Lincoln In 1865, he was shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth Lincoln fought for the Union and the abolition of slavery They were both legacies of his leadership How could we claim to be united with two governments? How could we claim to be democratic with a slave system? Indeed, the freed slaves did not have a vote © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

46

Amazing People of New York

Neither did women of any color The Equal Rights Association was set up in 1866 Elizabeth Stanton and Susan Anthony led the way In 1869, The National Women’s Suffrage Association was formed However, women did not gain the right to vote That was controlled by white men Under pressures, they gave all men the right to vote in 1870 Discrimination that defied logic and the Constitution White politicians gave black men the right to vote ahead of white women So much for people being born equal Also, the end of the Civil War was not the end of organized conflict New York politics was influenced more by gangs Particularly the Italian and the Irish ones They fought over territory to control alcohol, gambling and prostitution Indeed, politics was too often ruled by the gun Despite the end of the Civil War, more guns were bought in our city People claimed the right to bear arms I predicted that it would lead to more deaths.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

47

Amazing People of New York

Clemence Sophia Lozier 1875 After much effort, I qualified as a doctor in 1853 Yet the male-dominated profession was hostile Also, patients were suspicious Could a woman be as good a doctor as a man? From my own home in New York, I gave talks to women Anatomy, physiology, hygiene and other women’s issues Gradually, the numbers attending increased Elizabeth Blackwell was also spreading the word She was the first woman to qualify as a doctor in the USA In 1857, she opened the first hospital for women The New York Infirmary for Indigent Women and Children Great work, despite the opposition I realized that political action was necessary to progress On April 14th 1863, a special Act of Legislature was passed It established a new hospital The New York Medical College and Hospital for Women It opened, on November 1st, with four women and four male doctors The struggle to achieve this had been long and bitter The address was 724 Broadway By 1868, a property on Second Avenue and Eighth Street was opened As the President of the College, it was a proud day for me I established a clinic related to Diseases of Women and Children There was a lot to do New York had grown at a rapid rate There were not enough doctors to cope The slum areas were of major concern Dangerous diseases could spread quickly Sanitation standards needed improving We helped over 100 women graduate as doctors New Yorkers began to realize the value of our work Their needs grew more quickly than we could train people Also, further work led to a new organization The Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital for Women A grand title for an organization to help save people’s lives © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

48

Amazing People of New York

Yet, I could not save my own children To my great grief, six of them died during infancy Only one son survived and he became a doctor I had helped save the lives of many New Yorkers Plus trained many doctors I prayed that others would follow and improve the health of all. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

49

Amazing People of New York

Cornelius Vanderbilt 1877 My family came to New York from Holland in 1650 As a boy, I was told of the great family tradition Particularly, the family’s contribution to the city and New York State Those stories fired my ideas and added to my ambition Born on Staten Island, I quit school at the age of 11 Work on the ferries enabled me to earn a living By the age of 16, I had my own business Ferrying passengers and freight between Manhattan and Staten Island My mother had lent me some money to get started Once I had a ship, more contracts arrived The Government asked me to supply the forts on the river It was the start of many business deals People called me ‘The Commodore’ By the year 1818, aged 24, I felt it was time to expand My aim was to challenge the Fulton and Livingstone business They had gained a Hudson River monopoly on steamship operations To me that was clearly a restriction on trade The 1824 legal case broke the monopoly I was learning quickly, despite my lack of formal education To succeed it was necessary to use the law and manage money well By 1829, my steam service between Manhattan and Albany was operating In that way, I contributed to the development of New York Good profits were made and I decided to change direction Railroads were becoming more important New York needed lines in and out of the city as the population increased Indeed, my wife and I contributed to that with our thirteen children My plan was to acquire and develop a number of railway lines People said I was too old at the age of 65 to start again That did not stop me The New York and Harlem Railroad was a good asset I bought it in 1862, the first of many The Hudson River Railroad was acquired in 1864 Next, I bought The New York Central Railroad in 1867 Things were moving at a fast pace, in more senses than one © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

50

Amazing People of New York

Lines to other major cities were developed I merged New York Central and Hudson River Railroad in 1869 More people were living in the suburbs Traveling to and from work required effective train services Therefore, it was necessary to have one major terminal In 1871, when I was 74, a business deal was done The New York and New Haven Railroad partnership was established A terminal at East 42nd Street was built It was called the Grand Central Depot Later it was renamed to be Grand Central Terminal Also, lines constructed to other cities brought trade and wealth What should I do with so much money? Most of my multi million fortune I willed to my son However, one education project perpetuated my name Funds were provided for Vanderbilt University, but not in New York It was established in Nashville, Tennessee, a place that I had never visited Bishop McTyeire, of the Methodist Church, persuaded me to invest in it My original plan was to have built a university on Staten Island Despite not having had an education, I wanted to foster research and tuition I trust those who benefit will use their talents well to help others. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

51

Amazing People of New York

Viewpoints and Quotes

Paul Morand “In Forty-Second Street it is a glowing summer afternoon all night: one might almost wear white trousers and a straw hat.” New York 1929

E.B. White “The city is like poetry; it compresses all life, all races and breeds, into a small island and adds music and the accompaniment of internal engines.” Here is New York 1948

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

52

Amazing People of New York

Viewpoints and Quotes

Joan Didion “It is often said that New York is a city for only the very rich and the very poor. It is less often said that New York is also, at least for those of us who came there from somewhere else, a city for only the very young.” Goodbye To All That 1967

Abraham Beame “Where else but in an American democracy could a boy of the lower East Side, born in London to parents fleeing Russian discrimination, grow up to be mayor of a pan-ethnic city?”

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

53

Amazing People of New York

William Cullen Bryant 1878 As a journalist for the New York Evening Post, I searched for stories It was not necessary to look very far The city was teeming with immigrants searching for a new start Some of them honest, some wanting to bend or even break the rules Most people lived hard lives, in squalid conditions New apartments and houses lagged behind the demand Food and facilities were often scarce Too many people crowded together brought arguments and violence at times Reporting the opinion as well as the facts was part of my job A long way from my early career as a poet and lawyer That did not pay the bills, but I did not give up my idealism Through the newspaper, I campaigned for the abolition of slavery Working with President Lincoln on the Emancipation Proclamation In the process, I became part owner of the paper and Editor-in-Chief A role that I proudly held for 50 years, from 1828 to 1878 A time that saw the gradual replacement of horse and cart by railways Steam engines brought major changes to factories and farms alike Mud tracks became lanes and then streets and then highways Free enterprise led to the creation of businesses People needed unions to protect them from exploitation That was one of the campaigns I supported Other campaigns related to improving the facilities in New York Communication was revolutionized by Samuel Morse His dots and dashes helped us get news from all over the country Yet, despite all the advances, the health of the people was poor There was a need to improve hygiene and care for those who were ill Therefore, I brought together men of the city who were concerned As a result, the New York Medical College was established in 1860 The first step on a long road to improving community and personal health Instead of traditional methods, like bleeding a patient, we proposed new ones Homeopathy to encourage the people to look after their own health A good diet, regular fitness exercises and rest were advocated A focus on prevention, rather than obsession with cures, was encouraged On 20th Street and Third Avenue we invited people to join us © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

54

Amazing People of New York

It was originally called the New York Homeopathic Medical College We had 59 students and a faculty of eight, who helped train their successors The start of a revolution in health management It was certainly necessary as diseases spread quickly in overcrowded places As the first President of the College, I encouraged research and innovation Of course, it was expensive and a major task was to find financial supporters It was part of my role in helping to develop New York Contributing to the planning of Central Park I also supported the Hudson River School and Metropolitan Museum of Art After many years in New York, it was a pleasure to witness its development. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

55

Amazing People of New York

Frederick Law Olmsted 1882 New York was becoming too crowded It needed open spaces, where people could exercise For years, discussions took place about the location of a park In 1857, the design I developed with Calvert Vaux was accepted The Greensward Plan was the start of Central Park Many poor people living in the area had to be relocated Naturally, there was opposition and problems arose With 840 acres, it was the first public park in the USA From 59th to 110th Streets, it was two and a half miles long From the Fifth to the Eighth Avenue, it was half a mile wide 20,000 men were employed to develop it Gunpowder was used to blast out rocky ridges Then, 3,000,000 cubic yards of soil were brought in Enabling us to plant over 270,000 trees and shrubs By the winter of 1859, New Yorkers skated on the 20 acre lake Four underground roads carried cross town traffic Above the ground, 40 bridges were built By 1865, over 7,000,000 people used the park It was good to see young people and families enjoying it However, there were many disputes The criticism was that it was built for the wealthy Poor people, they said, had to travel Also, group picnics were banned Politicians made things difficult for the architects Changes were made and a zoo introduced in 1871 By the 1880s, there were concerts on Sundays In addition, the Carousel was popular Various sports were catered for, including tennis and cycling The park was once again a place for families, friends and lovers The city had a leisure facility to match any An open air playground where the citizens could enjoy themselves.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

56

Amazing People of New York

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

57

Amazing People of New York

Thomas Edison 1883 Like many others, I arrived in New York with hope Firstly, I was hoping to borrow some money Just enough to get me started, so that I could earn a living After that, maybe I could find good friends and fun It was 1868 and I was barely 21 years of age Knowing only one person in the city, I went to see him He was surprised to see me After a few minutes, I asked if he could loan me some money ’I’m unemployed,’ he said ’The most I can loan you is a dollar.’ Promising to pay him back, my first priority was a meal That raised my spirits and energy levels Next, I went looking for a job Being desperate, any job would do In the business area, I talked with a few people One of them was helpful and showed me where he worked It was called The Gold Indicator Company That night, I was allowed to sleep in their battery room There were many machines, which I found fascinating The next day, I studied them On the third day, fortune smiled on me A machine sending information to the Gold Exchange stopped working Panic ensued when many people had to stop work Having studied the machine during the previous day, I fixed it Dr Samuel Laws in the Exchange heard of my work He offered me a job at 300 dollars a month to maintain the machines From rags to riches, all in a day, and I repaid my friend his loan It enabled me to learn more about the machines My work became known to General Lefferts He was the new President of the Gold & Stock Telegraph Company His business depended on the new machine-based technology When the machines broke, the stockbrokers lost thousands of dollars ‘Can you maintain the machines in good order?’ he asked Being bold, I said, ’Yes sir, it would be a pleasure to do so’ © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

58

Amazing People of New York

He wanted to know the cost Should I ask for 5000 dollars a year, or settle for 3000? Not sure, I asked him to give me a figure that he thought was fair ’I propose 40,000 dollars a year,’ he said Had I misheard? Trying not to look surprised, I shook his hand and accepted With that sum, I was able to hire technicians In addition, the money funded technical research I met Mr Pope, who had a great interest in machines He helped me a lot and new developments emerged It was the start of my entrepreneurial career The start of a business that would transform the city The research led to the electric light

As a result, the Pearl Street Station was built in lower Manhattan The first central power plant in the USA On September 4th 1882, we lit up 400 lamps for 85 customers What a night! We celebrated in grand style It was the start of a social, as well as technical, revolution The beginning of the 24-seven lifestyle New York was about to be transformed and it gained a new name ‘The City That Never Sleeps’ New York had indeed been good to me It was all due to my friend that lent me that dollar One that I repaid with interest A loan that changed both my life and the city of New York. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

59

Amazing People of New York

Washington Roebling 1888 From a young age, my father was fascinated by bridges He studied in Berlin to become an architect and engineer In 1831, with his brother and 40 friends, he left Thuringia, Prussia They had heard about the United States of America So, they saved up and sailed across the Atlantic It was a good time to arrive in the land of opportunity President Jackson had allocated 100 million dollars for engineering projects My father’s training and experience were in high demand Bridges were required in many cities One of many he designed was over the Niagara River In 1867, a new bridge was required in New York It was to span the East River, linking Manhattan and Brooklyn My father was asked to design it It was a major project, as the river was 5989 feet wide The suspension bridge was the largest in the world The Brooklyn Daily Eagle paper gave it a name in 1867 They called it ‘The Brooklyn Bridge’ It took 13 years to build During the construction, 27 people died Sad to say, my father did not see it completed He died from an accident while working on the bridge It became my privilege to continue guiding the project Albeit I had to do it from my bed, as I was injured Working underneath the water, in the East River, I got the bends Caisson disease was the result and it shattered my health For nearly 14 years, I coordinated the construction from my home My wife, Emily, conveyed my guidelines to the supervisors The first American woman to be an Engineering Bridge Project Manager The Brooklyn Bridge opened to acclaim on May 24th 1883 Over 150,000 people walked across it, in a party mood Smiling, joking and gaining a new view of New York Also, 1800 vehicles, mainly horse drawn, plus bicycles, crossed However, a dreadful accident occurred On May 30th someone predicted the bridge would collapse © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

60

Amazing People of New York

There was a panic and 12 people were killed in a stampede Also, the bridge swayed in the storms and wind However, the design was sound To calm people’s anxieties, a special event was arranged P. T. Barnum, a great showman, took Jumbo the Elephant across People cheered and confidence was restored Business on both sides of the river improved The workers did a fantastic job in difficult circumstances The Brooklyn Bridge became a New York City landmark.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

61

Amazing People of New York

Susan B. Anthony 1906 Around me I saw injustice Of course, the rich had more than the poor The white people had more rights than the black people Men had more opportunities than women Rather than stand by, I took action to help abolish slavery At the age of 16, in 1836, I collected two boxes of petitions It was the start of many campaigns Also, I witnessed the way alcohol ruined people’s lives Therefore, I became Secretary of the Daughter’s of Temperance Those and other efforts indicated my strong principles An article in the New York Tribune focused my efforts The paper reported on a women’s conference The National Women’s Rights Convention was held in 1850 As a result, I met Elizabeth Cady Stanton We formed a team to campaign for equal rights Efforts were made to include African American women At that time, no woman had a vote to elect politicians Yet, our USA Constitution said that we were born equal Despite much travel, and many speeches, the law did not change Male politicians and judges did not want women involved It took a long time to gain support and funds for our organization The Equal Rights Association was set up in 1866 It voted to give black men the vote but not women I put more focus on the needs of mothers and girls They were the subject of discrimination In 1868, I published a weekly journal, called The Revolution Printed in New York, it was a call to arms We argued for women’s rights in marriage as well as in politics Women needed a political organization to fight for their civil liberties With Elizabeth Cady Stanton, I formed a new body In 1869, The National Women’s Suffrage Association was set up Its aim was to get the vote for women Women required better access to education and health Meetings and protests were held in New York and elsewhere © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

62

Amazing People of New York

African American men were given the vote, but not women Direct action was required so I decided to vote in an election In 1872, I was arrested for doing so Despite the 14th Amendment being pleaded, I was pronounced guilty The Court imposed a fine, but I refused to pay it Change came slowly with training and education By 1890, the two main women’s organizations united I became the President and New York became our head office Professional opportunities for women began to slowly increase But, women could not at that time gain high public political office Would it require a different type of civil war? A new generation was emerging to lead the fight.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

63

Amazing People of New York

Mark Twain 1908 They say that money does not grow on trees It certainly seemed to grow near those in Wall Street With more money to the square yard there than anywhere The meeting point for bankers, stockbrokers and merchants You may ask what did they produce that could be eaten? The truth was nothing They dealt in oil Some said, snake oil In reality financial oil keeps the economy turning To me, money was more like water Sometimes it flowed freely, other times there was a drought New York was a place where I tried to do business At one time, I owned a publishing house near Union Square Also homes on Fifth Avenue and on West Tenth Street The hustle and bustle of the city was always an inspiration However, the city also had its share of tragedy The heat wave of 1896 killed over 420 people In 1904, The General Slocum Steamship burned in the East River Over 1020 people were killed through mismanagement Despite the setbacks, the city continued to grow Buildings became taller and taller The World Building and the Singer Building stood out Sadly, some workers were injured or died during the construction That was inevitable, given the great heights of the buildings Yet there were many good things about New York Each day, it was like a beehive of industry In the evening, people relaxed at dinner and the theater Indeed, New York became a theater of its own Everyone was an actor with their own script Each, as Shakespeare said, with their entrances and exits There were comedies and tragedies Successes and failures Happiness and sadness © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

64

Amazing People of New York

All showed on the faces of the people that passed my window It was a privilege to be part of the great city Home to over 3,500,000 people Including myself for a number of years On my 70th birthday, I was the guest of honor at Delmonico’s President Teddy Roosevelt came to New York for the occasion A special evening in a special city.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

65

Amazing People of New York

George Plunkitt 1910 The number of people in the city had doubled in 25 years Indeed, in 1800 there were only 60,000 in the city That many can now arrive on boats in a few months A new immigration facility was established in 1893 Ellis Island A massive processing factory for many nationalities Once they had their papers, they flooded into the city Some moved to other parts of the country However, many stayed in New York That was how our city continued to grow, with over 4,000,000 people New arrivals changed the social and economic situation In particular, immigrants changed the political landscape The Society of St Tammany was part of that Formed in 1789, it was a key aspect of the Democratic Party The Irish were particularly strong in the organization Tammany Hall was the center of great social work to help poor people We provided advice, as well as practical support In return, we expected them to support our politicians They supported my campaign to be the State Senator As the representative for the 15th district, I spoke out Helping the poor, who helped me for over 40 years Honest graft was the way I got rich Buying land cheap and selling it at a profit Indeed, the city was full of poor people trying to become rich There were lots of opportunities Only a few people knew how to grasp and hold on to them The turn of the century gave new hope A time for celebrating a new millennium In the streets, there was much dancing, singing and drinking After that it was back to work on major projects The New York City Subway opened in 1904 It helped people get to the shops and their work Like a magnet, New York drew people from all over the world.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

66

Amazing People of New York

Tammany Hall

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

67

Amazing People of New York

Theodore Roosevelt 1919 Born in New York during 1858, I thought that I knew the city But, it was growing at such a rapid pace Immigrants from Europe and people from the south arrived night and day They all crowded on to the thin strips of land we called home Long Island, Staten Island plus Manhattan and adjacent islands The city spread rapidly outwards and upwards George Strong said, in 1866, that Madison Avenue was a ragged track ‘Rich in mudholes, goats, pigs, geese and stramonium’ As a young man, I marvelled at how New Yorkers survived Albeit the economic depression of the 1870s reduced building projects However, by 1900 the population had tripled in 30 years to 3 million Every ten years, another million people crowded into New York Major problems of housing, employment, education and health arose My family had arrived in the 17th century and were well established I grew up in privileged circumstances with a good education An interest in politics led me to run for office Election to the New York State Assembly in 1881 was a start But, as a legislator what did I know of the emerging New York? Samuel Gompers, the union leader, invited me on a tour of the tenements I was appalled to see the conditions under which people were living Strong political action was necessary to change the situation It was the start of my campaign to improve social conditions Yet, illness descended upon my wife and I became a single parent For two years, I left the city and went to Dakota It was a difficult time and I threw myself into work On my return, I remarried and focused on writing My book, The History of New York, was published in 1891 At last, I began to understand the city It was time to take on civic roles again In 1895, I became the President of the Board of Police Commissioners Major changes to police practice in New York were made Corruption and gang warfare were attacked New parks for the people were developed Yet, there were battles to be fought elsewhere, particularly in Cuba © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

68

Amazing People of New York

My beliefs led me from New York to Cuba Victory was gained against the Spanish in 1898 On my return, I was elected Governor of New York It was an opportunity to further help those in need Also, it was necessary to expand business opportunities The opportunity to do both came in 1901 At the age of 42, I was elected as President of the USA For the next eight years, I led the nation from the White House It was an exciting time; much of it spent resolving conflicts overseas My policy was to walk softly, but carry a big stick As a result, in 1906, I was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize To help international development, I helped develop the Panama Canal That was the most important action I took in foreign affairs

In addition, I also visited Europe and Africa From those lands millions of people went to the USA Some by free choice; some as bonded slaves Many of them were now living in New York A city that was more like a country in terms of its size A city that was truly international in its mix of races and religions A city that was on the edge of a new age The pace of life continued with ever more speed The number of buildings increased and went higher into the sky The number of people crowding into the city increased What would be the next phase? It was time to plan ahead However, each day brought new challenges beyond the plans. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

69

Amazing People of New York

Mary Lilly 1920 The Statue of Liberty stands majestic A gift from France, designed by Frederic Bartholdi It was dedicated on October 28th 1886 An inspirational symbol for all, particularly immigrants A commemoration of the Declaration of Independence The famous Alexandre Eiffel engineered the internal structure The robed woman, holding the torch, a symbol of liberty In truth, it was a stark contrast to reality Women in New York were not liberated In 1894, there was a petition signed by over 600,000 The petition demanded that women have the right to vote Politicians, all of them males, rejected it However, some women had shown what could be done Dr Lozier and others had already set examples Despite the calls for equal rights, little changed The United States Constitution said people were created equal In New York, women did not have equal opportunity As soon as we gained the vote, I decided to enter politics In 1917, I was elected to the New York State Legislature Ida Sammis was also elected We worked to improve key issues of concern to women and families In particular, work, health and maternity matters were raised Including legislation relating to children born out-of-wedlock In addition, I sponsored legislation to abolish the death penalty With the election of women, a new era had been established It was also a new era for those returning from war The First World War had raged throughout Europe In 1916, many young Americans were sent to fight the Germans New York was the departure point for the troops Sadly, many did not return Those that did had to face hardship at home Many unable to sleep from the shell shock and injuries Also, there was a great influenza epidemic It started in March 1918 and lasted about two years © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

70

Amazing People of New York

Thousands died as a result People living in cities were particularly at risk New York, once again, was under attack This time from an enemy that was hard to find The epidemic took its toll on families and friends Organizations lost skilled workers and the economy suffered Those were challenges we faced as legislators. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

71

Amazing People of New York

Al Jolson 1928 Many people from Europe arrived at Ellis Island Including me and my family, arriving from Lithuania In due course, people from South America and Asia arrived Reflecting multi-national immigration All looking for work and shelter As a 14 year old, I was out on my own Mother had died and I ran away from home in 1900 Arriving in New York, I found people celebrating a new century I had no money and lived rough trying to earn an income Fortunately, my voice helped me Whilst working as an usher, the manager heard me sing He asked me to sing in a show It was the start that I needed But there was no easy road to fame In due course, I put on a black face and became recognized It reflected the changes in New York People from many nationalities were crowding into the city Sport brought people of many backgrounds together Surprisingly not around soccer, the major sport of Europe Baseball and American football dominated in New York In 1911, a fire at the NY Giants Polo Grounds caused damage For two years, they shared the Highlanders’ Stadium The city developed areas where ethnic groups lived Districts like Harlem, Queens and Greenwich Village Each with its own culture and style Songs and dances from north and south wafted through the streets Tin Pan Alley became big business with phonographs and radio Ragtime was particularly popular Likewise Irish, American and Jewish klesmer music Broadway theaters and the new cinemas attracted large audiences Eventually, after many years, they named one after me Jolson’s 59th Street Theater opened in 1921, near Central Park Other great entertainers were making their names Babe Ruth became an icon at the Yankee Stadium from 1923 © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

72

Amazing People of New York

Helping to establish baseball as the most followed sport in the city Also, the city skyline was changing Large buildings, called ‘skyscrapers’, became taller New York had developed as a major world city Many new jobs had been created and people had money in their pockets The roaring 20s were in full swing Following the First World War, it was time to spend Houses, cars, radios, jewellery, high quality clothing and more They were all there, if the money was right People flocked to New York There were more than 5,500,000 inhabitants But could the good times last?

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

73

Amazing People of New York

John D. Rockefeller 1937 Many buildings in New York have the name Rockefeller on them They reflect our family name and the wealth we brought to the city Standard Oil was the organization I founded in 1870 Prior to that I had developed a number of oil refineries The industrial revolution demanded more and more oil I moved our head office to 26 Broadway in New York City in 1889 It was the start of a great association and involvement in the city By 1890, Standard Oil refined about 88% of the oil in the USA Money flowed into our company like water in a fast flowing river With the dividends from profits, I funded important developments What is the point of having money unless you do some good with it? The great industrialist, Andrew Carnegie, influenced my thinking For some time, I had been keen to support charitable endeavours As a member of the Baptist Church, I had supported their work It had always been my practice to give a tenth of my income The Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research was set up in 1901 It became a world leader in biomedical studies Other philanthropic grants were made to support education The funds from the Standard Oil business continued to flow in By 1904, we controlled 91% of production and 85% of all sales Concerns were raised about the monopoly power of the company The US Supreme Court in 1911 ruled that the company be divided By that time, I was 70 years of age and independently wealthy With the sale of my shares, it was possible to go further Therefore, in 1913, I funded the Rockefeller Foundation Its headquarters were established in New York with $250 million It had a wide remit to support public health, education and art Agriculture, social sciences and international relations have benefited Elsewhere in New York, you can visit the Rockefeller Center One of the great skyscraper buildings on 22 acres of land Started in 1930, the Great Stock Market Crash threatened the project The development of Radio City Music Hall helped With a theatre able to hold nearly 6000 people it became an attraction Before long, major organizations were located around Rockefeller Plaza © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

74

Amazing People of New York

Therefore, my investments in New York were considerable I trust that they have been of benefit to the city and its people.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

75

Amazing People of New York

Damon Runyon 1939 “Nicely, nicely”, he said It was his reply when I asked if he was going well One of the many characters that I met in New York Such a change of pace from my lifestyle in Colorado New York was hot by day and hotter by night ‘The Big Street’ was where it happened in my imagination Broadway, in reality, lights turned down low and guarded doors The smog of the Big Apple drifted through the night Shrouding the speakeasy clubs and bars The theater of life for those avoiding prohibition The secret deals that came with drinks on a tray Plus the good time girls, ‘protected’ by the mob Yes, the underworld was definitely another world From 1920 to 1933, the sale of alcohol was banned Rackets were the names of the games played by the mobsters Prohibition was the name of the game played by politicians Outlawing booze was like outlawing relations between the sexes The laws created an ‘underground’ market for what was banned Illegal gambling dens, dope and death by order for enemies Tough characters who shot first and asked questions second Jack ‘Legs’ Diamond, Lucky Luciano, Ben ‘Bugsy’ Siegal Plus my friend Otto Berman, from whom I learnt a lot They were some of the players in the deadly underworld theater Ruling their part of the city through gangs Fighting for territory, power and status Above all, preserving face Always a running battle with the New York Police Department It was not long before I experienced the thrill of the speakeasy Drink had long been a friend to fuel my imagination Albeit, I realized it was time to quit It was then that I saw some humor in the reality Wise guys and their flashy dolls Miss Adelaide, Harry the Horse and Mindy’s Restaurant A speakeasy for those with ideas bigger than their capabilities © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

76

Amazing People of New York

Plus Hot Horse Herbie, Dream Street Rose and Nicely Nicely Characters that you might meet on any New York street block Trying to make the best of their chances Guys and dolls finding ways to survive Like so many, all trying to succeed in the ‘Big Apple’.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

77

Amazing People of New York

Fiorello Henry La Guardia 1947 The last 20 years and more have been ones of great strife The first signs started here in New York On the 28th October 1928, there was a financial panic From boom to bust Too much money chasing too few products Confidence in previously respected companies evaporated It began at the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street People started selling shares and it continued Month after month prices fell and businesses collapsed It became known as the ‘Great Depression’ Businesses, of all kinds, were ravaged by it Many people were financially ruined Vast numbers were unemployed and homeless in the 1930s Poverty stalked the streets in many districts I became the Mayor of New York in 1934 Action was needed to raise spirits and incomes Public works programs were started to provide employment Another target was to beat corruption and gang rule The Luciano case and conviction was a turning point Thomas Dewey did a fine job of prosecution Beyond that was the New Deal economic stimulus Amongst many activities, we planned a World Fair Held in 1939, it was a great success Also, a new airport was commissioned for the city Bearing my name, in respect of three terms in office Just when a recovery looked in sight, war clouds loomed The 1940s were dominated by the Second World War Japanese bombs on Pearl Harbor were a call to action New York men enlisted and the city focused on military activity War was declared on both Japan and Germany Five years later came peace and a new era Parties were held throughout the city Bands played and people danced in the streets But not for long, as the ‘Cold War’ had begun. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

78

Amazing People of New York

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

79

Amazing People of New York

Viewpoints and Quotes

A.M. Rosenthal and Arthur Gelb “New York is the city of rampant creativity, of abundant imagination, whether you are in advertising or the theater or the stock market. They are all fields built on imagination, the spinning of ideas and creations, of fantasy becoming reality. It is everything.” The Sophisticated Traveller 1984

Simon Hoggart “Living in New York is like being at some terrible late-night party. You’re tired, you’ve had a headache since you arrived, but you can’t leave because then you’d miss the party.” America: A User’s Guide 1990

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

80

Amazing People of New York

Viewpoints and Quotes

Don Herold “There is something distinctive about living in New York; over eight million other people are doing it.”



Jackie Mason “A person who speaks good English in New York sounds like a foreigner.”

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

81

Amazing People of New York

Oscar Hammerstein 1960 The theater had long reflected life Both that in New York and beyond Albeit life in the city was a theater in its own right As a New Yorker by birth, I saw the reality each day Happiness and sadness, comedy and tragedy Hope and despair, success and failure It was a rich source for musicals and plays They became central to my life and work Therefore, the history of the theater in New York was of interest It could all have begun in 1696 at The Kings Arms Just off Broadway, it was an early coffee house and bar The scene for many dramas, most not scripted By 1732, a London troupe of actors visited and presented plays Near Pearl Street, the room held about 400 people By 1750, the Theater on Nassau was a full time venue Shakespeare’s play, Richard III, was presented In the same year, The Beggar’s Opera was produced The first musical in New York Later, George Washington attended plays at the theater on John Street Other ones were built including the Bowery, Chatham, Olympic and the Park They became notorious for allowing prostitution in the upper tiers It was all regarded as part of the service at the time By 1821, a theater for black people had been established A West Indian, William Brown, set one up at 38 Thomas Street When he leased a building at the Park Theater, his shows were attacked It was over 100 years before African Americans produced shows in that area Another division was between the rich and poor whites Broadway and the Bowery reflected different societies Conflict erupted at the new Astor Place Opera House, May 10th 1849 A crowd of 20,000 working class people attacked the building In the battle, 22 were killed and 150 injured The theater of the street had taken over from Shakespeare’s Macbeth on stage Conflict between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ of the mainly Anglo-Saxons However, the whites imitated black citizens from 1790 © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

82

Amazing People of New York

The tradition of blacking one’s face for minstrel shows began Minstrelsy proved to be very popular and an American innovation In due course, there were over 20 such companies Some people were against theaters for religious and other reasons But they would go to museums P. T. Barnum bought the American Museum on Church Street His plays and shows attracted over 3,000 people per performance Laura Keene was another impresario who became a legend Her show called Seven Sisters ran for 253 performances Sadly, President Lincoln was assassinated in one of her Washington theaters Another tragedy at the Brooklyn Theater saw over 200 die from fire in 1876 Despite such disasters, plays and musicals flourished Even during the harsh winter of 1888, with five-foot snowdrifts

Union Square and then Times Square became the center for entertainment As the population grew, in and around Manhattan, so did the theaters Longacre Square around 42nd Street and Broadway became important My grandfather, with the Shubert brothers, built grand theaters Also, the Erlanger estate built the New Amsterdam Theater By 1927, over 70 theaters housed 250 shows It was all to change with the 1929 great Stock Market Crash After the recovery came the Second World War Musicals were one way to lift the gloom Our show, Oklahoma, was a great hit, ironically in New York Others were to follow, some especially about the city Reflecting the changes and styles in music But the human stories were those of every generation. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

83

Amazing People of New York

Othmar Amman 1964 Building bridges was my passion Only when I arrived in the USA was it possible to do this on a grand scale That was in 1904, when I moved from Switzerland Initially, I studied why bridges collapsed The Quebec Bridge fell down Also, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge crashed Many people were killed on the first one Millions of dollars and reputations were lost Clearly changes to design were required Safety had to be the key issue As a result of my report, I was invited to New York Gustav Lindenthal had designed Hell Gate Bridge He asked for my advice, to ensure it was safe In due course, it led to an important job I became the Bridge Engineer for the NY Port Authority My design for the George Washington Bridge was accepted In addition, I designed the Bayonne Bridge That was completed in 1931 Robert Moses asked me to work with him He was a major developer with influence in the city Although not elected, he had many strong political friends New Deal money from the Government supported many projects During the Great Depression, he enlisted my help The Triborough Bridge was a major project, opened in 1936 A link between the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens The work went well and the great bridge was completed Moses later developed many highways, including the Belt Parkway Also, there were other projects The Brooklyn-Queens, the Staten Island and Cross-Bronx Expressways It was bridges that interested me most Roberts Moses asked me to design some major ones The Bronx Whitestone, an elegant bridge, was opened in 1939 However, all these were a lead up to the largest one of all The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

84

Amazing People of New York

In total, 4,260 feet in length, with towers rising to 693 feet The largest suspension bridge in the world Completed in 1964, it connected Staten Island and Brooklyn Another great day for New York Improving business and social links It had only taken five years to build Full credit to all the workers It was amazing what skilled craftsmen could do That was shown, once again, on the Lincoln Tunnel Another project, like the others, that sped up travel Traffic management had become a major issue for New York So many people had the money to own a car Indeed, cars had become a dominant factor in the city.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

85

Amazing People of New York

Margaret Sanger 1966 My mother, a devout Roman Catholic, had 18 pregnancies Only 11 of my brothers and sisters survived birth I was born in 1879 and soon learned the problems of poverty There were many poor families in and around New York With such a large family, my mother was over-worked She died of tuberculosis and cervical cancer when I was 20 All those things made me think a lot about birth control Knowledge on the subject was scarce It was as if there was a taboo When I enrolled for a nursing course, I asked questions Gradually, I found out more about birth control The natural cycles of the female body and the clinical systems But there were no clinics at that time for women in New York The topic was not a key issue in medical training Nor was it discussed much in doctors’ surgeries In those days, the doctors were nearly all men Most women did not have the language or confidence to raise the issue I knew it was necessary to do something to help women In 1902, I married William Sanger and the next year had our first child My husband was supportive of my views on birth control However, I could not complete my training as a nurse It required another full-time year Motherhood and my recovery from tuberculosis took up my time Gradually I felt strong enough to help others However, a fire destroyed our home We moved to New York City, where I saw raw poverty The slums on the East Side of New York were dreadful Meeting the people, I realized women needed advice Putting my pen to paper I provided some information What Every Girl Should Know was a series that I wrote In addition, I wrote Family Limitation It was a pamphlet circulated to poor women Incredibly, that broke the old 1873 Comstock Law It said dissemination of contraceptive information was illegal © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

86

Amazing People of New York

The Catholic Church, into which I was baptized, disowned me Politicians and lawyers railed against me It was a difficult time and my marriage suffered It was a time to look forwards, not backwards

My slogan was ‘No Gods and No Masters’ The Woman Rebel was the title of my monthly newsletter In that publication, I coined the term ‘birth control’ It started a firestorm of argument of ‘pro life’ or ‘pro choice’ options My view was crystal clear © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

87

Amazing People of New York

Each woman was ‘the mistress of her own body’ Lawyers indicted me for violating postal obscenity laws Taking the name of Bertha Watson, I left for Europe On returning to the USA, my daughter was not well On November 6th 1915, aged only five, she died Devastated, I found solace in my work The next year, I opened a family planning and birth control clinic It was situated in Brownsville, Brooklyn Nine days later, the police invaded my clinic and I was arrested The judge, a man of course, sent me to prison for 30 days

In the following year, I wrote What Every Mother Should Know Next, I launched The Birth Control Review After that came The Birth Control News The fight for women’s health had to go on In 1921, I founded the American Birth Control League In between, I fell in love once again James Slee was an oil tycoon, and we married in 1922 He supported my work and great progress was made The Clinical Research Bureau was established © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

88

Amazing People of New York

It was the first legal birth control clinic in the USA John D Rockefeller’s organization provided funds to assist At last, women had the right to choose In 1930, I took the message to the international stage My role was President of the Birth Control Information Center Unemployment and poverty were all around Our work was impeded, yet the problem of unwanted pregnancies grew In 1937, I became Chairperson of the American Birth Control Council A lot of political work was involved Then the Second World War started and slowed progress After the war, I served in many administrative roles From 1952-59, I led the International Planned Parenthood Federation The battle was however not won In 1960, President Kennedy, a Catholic, was elected He refused to support birth control policies The Griswold case legalized birth control for married couples Also, the new birth control pill changed behaviour That, more than anything else, gave women choice The medical profession suddenly became proactive They had to, as women were demanding the pill With that came permission to discuss birth control issues It was good to see that my efforts had not been in vain.

1960’s contraceptive pill packet

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

89

Amazing People of New York

Robert Moses 1980 New York had seen times of trouble and triumph The spirit of its people passed from one generation to the next People from many countries came to call the city their home Migrants of all races, color and religion New York was a microcosm of the world Therefore, it was a challenge to be invited to contribute For over 40 years, it was an honor It started on January 17th 1927, when I commenced Al Smith, the Governor, asked me to work with him He appointed me Secretary of State for New York My brief was to regulate businesses and professions It also involved fire prevention and coastal management Plus code enforcement to ensure compliance To me, it was far more than that It was a chance to develop New York into a world city To do so, I needed to understand and master many areas Financial, legal, political and engineering issues They were top of my list The start point was a time of economic depression Effective action was required Works Progress Administration was a New Deal initiative Another was the Civilian Conservation Corps Both provided millions of dollars for reconstruction Using the money in New York brought major changes Bridges, roads, parks, houses and apartments were all built Jones Beach and the New York State Park were other projects With Mayor La Guardia, ten swimming pools were developed Traffic congestion was becoming a problem The Belt Parkway, Laurelton Parkway and Expressways were built Reducing the time for driving But not for me, as I did not have a car I never learned how to drive one My reputation was for moving building projects forward The Shea Stadium, Lincoln Center and the United Nations © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

90

Amazing People of New York

United Nations Building

They required careful management Sidney Shapiro was my General Manager, who made things work Various jobs were given to me in my career Yet, with so much power, there was always conflict Particularly over the demolition of Penn Station Controversy surrounded me Yet, I served under many mayors and governors Working, always, to develop the great city of New York. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

91

Amazing People of New York

Irving Berlin 1988 I built the Music Box Theater to reflect my ideas Established in 1921, it became the center for my musical work Amazing considering that I could not speak English on arrival in the USA Born in Siberia to a Jewish family, we arrived in New York in 1893 My parents were refugees escaping persecution in Russia I was the youngest of their eight children After a hard journey, we found a home on Manhattan’s lower east side By 1896, aged eight, I was on the New York streets working for a living Running errands, selling newspapers and serving tables From time to time, I sang and people gave me money My father, a cantor with a magnificent voice, had died that year No doubt, I inherited some of his ability I was able to write lyrics and compose songs But, where I lived you also needed other skills It was a rough tough life working in the Bowery area There were gangs and gangsters and trouble in dark places My ability to sing and write helped me gain more respectable jobs Initially, I was a waiter and made up some songs to sing At the Pelham’s Café in Chinatown, I was asked to write one The competitor hotel had a song, so my manager wanted a better one Marie from Sunny Italy was the title On the song sheet, they noted “I Berlin” as the lyricist My family name was Baline, but it was too late to change the spelling So, that is how I got my pen name as a songwriter Albeit only thirty seven cents was earned from the first song Initially, I only wrote the lyrics until a mix up occurred One client thought that I could write the music also In truth, I had not received any musical tuition To meet the needs of the client, I found an arranger Cliff Hess was the first and then Arthur Johnson Having worked out the idea and the words, I then sang it The arrangers would write the manuscripts for me Soon my name became known as a songwriter By the time I was 20 a number of songs were written © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

92

Amazing People of New York

In 1911, one of them became a massive hit Alexander’s Ragtime Band People tapped their feet, danced and marched to its beat It brought smiles and happiness to so many, poor and rich alike However, for me, sadness followed happiness My wife died, shortly after our honeymoon, from typhus fever Trying to overcome despair, more songs were written One was rejected It was called God Bless America In time, it became like a second national anthem In between, thousands flocked to the musicals that I wrote Broadway became my second home with Irving Berlin in lights Falling in love once again spurred me to write more ballads Always became a popular song and also How Deep Is The Ocean My facility with words and music produced many hits The show Let’s Face The Music summed up my ideas In due course, music for films was in demand as sound accompanied film Radio and the TV took my music to millions more My songs were heard in every town in the USA and the world A Pretty Girl is like a Melody, Easter Parade, Blue Skies Those and other songs like White Christmas filled the airwaves Broadway reverberated to Call Me Madam and Annie Get Your Gun Plus, There’s No Business Like Show Business My life in New York inspired so many of my songs It became the refuge for my family when I was five years of age A place that I learnt to love and enjoy It was my home for 95 years.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

93

Amazing People of New York

Leroy Sands 2008 The start of the 21st Century New York became the most densely populated city in the USA In 2000, it was home to over 8,000,000 people, living in five areas: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island Those were the distinct political districts Over 20,000,000 people lived in the wider metropolitan area Over 170 languages were spoken in the city They say that New York never sleeps However, over the last 30 years, major battles were fought The NYPD was continually trying to keep one step ahead The Federal Bureau of Investigation was also involved Governor Rockefeller had a big impact on the city The Rockefeller Drug Laws took effect in 1973 Drug dealers had become a menace to the city He supported other plans to make New York a better place In 1986, a breakthrough was made in a major court case Rudy Giuliani, and others, brought Mafia leaders to trial The bosses of the five major families were convicted Giuliani was subsequently elected Mayor of New York City twice After that period, crime in the city reduced considerably As a citizen, I applauded the work of the police Through it all, New York survived and grew In 1989, David Dinkins became the Mayor The first black person to be elected to the office Signalling another significant change in the history of the city It has been a privilege to live in New York during these times Yet it has suffered nightmare terrorist attacks In 1993, the World Trade Center was bombed Six people were killed and over 1000 injured Sadly, worse was to follow Since 2001, the city has been extra vigilant As the World Trade Center was targeted again In broad daylight, over 3000 people were killed The city had entered a new phase in its history © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

94

Amazing People of New York

In 2000, New York elected its first female Senator Hilary Clinton, wife of the former President In 2008, David Paterson became the first black Governor Change was the order of the day, but it had always been so The new challenges involved everyone So many people in a small area Making the work of the police very difficult Also, environmental problems became paramount Leading many to protest and pose a question What will New York look like in the next century? © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

95

Amazing People of New York

Viewpoints and Quotes

Dr James Hillman “If there were a god of New York, it would be the Greek’s Hermes, the Roman’s Mercury. He embodies New York qualities: the quick exchange, the fastness of language and style, craftiness, the mixing of people and crossing of borders, imagination.”

E.B. White “It is a miracle that New York works at all. The whole thing is implausible.” Here is New York 1948

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

96

Amazing People of New York

Viewpoints and Quotes

Ayn Rand “I would give the greatest sunset in the world for one sight of New York’s skyline… The sky over New York and the will of man made visible. What other religion do we need?” The Fountainhead 1943

John Clements “New York City sits bold and beautiful, brash and bounteous, a Big Apple, representing the best the country and people have to offer. Never has there been a city like it, nor will there be again… It’s a city of achievers, often beset by adversity, but never bested by circumstances.” More than an Almanac: New York Facts 1989

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

97

Amazing People of New York

New York Population Growth

Prior to the first European settlers there were a number of local tribes that lived in and around New York. Of course, no one counted the exact numbers at that time. Since the early 1600s, New York has witnessed the most incredible increase in population. The following figures for New York City give the hard facts underlying the stories in this book. The city of New York has been like a magnet. It has attracted people from all over the world. In the first 75 years of overseas settlement the increase was steady. Between 1700 and 1750 the population doubled. From 1800 onwards the population rocketed upwards. It doubled in size again within 20 years. In the next 20 years, it doubled once more. No doubt the citizens felt that the place could not continue expanding at such a rate. If so, they would have been wrong. In the next ten years, the population doubled again. If New York was regarded as a business organization, people would say it was expanding too quickly and would collapse in on itself. After all, how could new houses be created for so many new people? How could they all be fed? By 1850, over 500,000 people had crowded into Manhattan and Long Island. In the next ten years another 300,000 people arrived. The city was a major building site trying to cope with so many immigrants. Still they kept arriving. In the next ten years, another 100,000 arrived. Yet it was only the beginning of the mass immigration, mainly from the countries of Europe. Many were escaping persecution and others were searching for business opportunities. During the 100 years between 1800 and 1900, the number of people in New York increased by over 30 times. At the start of 1800 there were 60,000 living in the city. In the last decade of that century there were over 1,500,000 people. The city could not cope with such an influx, yet people kept arriving and found places to live. Poor places, often damp and fiercely cold in winter. The death rate was high. So was the number of births. But above all, the number arriving by boat increased. The Atlantic was a highway to what people © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

98

Amazing People of New York

perceived as the land of opportunity. Despite the fact that the USA was and is a large country, most people wanted to settle in New York. Five main boroughs had to cope with the influx. Staten Island, the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn established local government plans to integrate people. The taxes they collected were hardly sufficient and social services were overwhelmed. The trend was to continue into the 20th Century. In 1900, there were over 3,400,000 people living in New York. By the end of the century, in the year 2000, the number had grown to an incredible 8,000,000 plus. The increase of over 5,000,000 people meant that, on average, the city was growing by 1,000,000 people every 20 years. That is about 100,000 people per year, or 2000 people a week over a concerted period of time. To absorb and cater for such a large number of people in a relatively small area has been an amazing achievement. The following chart gives an indication of the total population growth since the first European immigrants arrived. Population Estimates of New York

YEAR

NUMBER OF PEOPLE



1624 1700 1750 1800 1820 1840 1850 1860 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2007

250 6,000 12,000 60,000 123,000 312,000 515,000 813,000 1,200,000 1,515,300 3,437,200 4,766,883 5,620,050 7,545,995 7,781,984 7,071,639 8,002,288 8,274,527

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

99

Amazing People of New York

Timeline of Events Prior to the arrival of the Italian born navigator, Giovanni de Verrazano in 1524, the Manhattan area was inhabited by the Wappinger people. They were a group of Native Americans, who were closely related to the Lenape and Mahican tribes. When Henry Hudson arrived in 1609, it is estimated that Native Americans had been living in the area for at least 3000 years. The following timeline from 1524, reflects key dates in the foundation of the first permanent settlement by colonists from Europe. They are significant events in history that shaped the amazing City of New York. 1524 – On January 17, Giovanni da Verrazzano discovered New York Harbor. He was commissioned by Francis I, King of France. 1609 – On September 11, Henry Hudson, an English explorer discovered the Hudson River, which now bears his name. He was commissioned by the Dutch. In the same year, French-born Samuel de Champlain explored and claimed the north-eastern New York area on behalf of France. 1614 – Fort Nassau was constructed near the present-day Albany. 1621 – The Dutch West Indian company established New Amsterdam which opened up opportunities for trade. 1624 – The Dutch settled in New Amsterdam permanently and ruled over the colony for 40 years. 1626 – The Dutch purchased Manhattan Island from the local Indians. 1638 – The first ferry service ran between Manhattan and Brooklyn. 1647 – Peter Stuyvesant became Governor of New Amsterdam. 1664 – An English expedition led by Colonel Sir Richard Nicolls, conquered New Amsterdam and changed the name to New York. 1673 – The Anglo-Dutch war occurred and the Dutch re-captured New Amsterdam. 1674 – The English recaptured New Amsterdam and signed The Treaty of Westminster. After the Third Anglo-Dutch War it was renamed New York City. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

100

Amazing People of New York

1668 – The first yellow fever epidemic broke out in the city. 1702 – The results of the yellow fever epidemic killed over 500 people. 1731 – A smallpox epidemic killed approximately 600 people. 1762 – New York received street lights in the form of whale-oil lamps. 1765 – New York was host to a conference dealing with the King of England’s Stamp Act. It was to provide funds to its soldiers stationed in the colony. However the act was repealed. 1775 – The American Revolution began. 1776 – New York declared independence from England. The Great Fire destroyed approximately a quarter of the city structures. Nathan Hale, America’s first heroic spy was executed. 1777 – New York’s first constitution was adopted. Election for the first governor took place, with George Clinton declared elected. 1783 – Battle of Saratoga occurred. The Revolutionary War ended. Evacuation day, which is one of the city’s most important holidays, celebrates when George Washington returned to the city and the last British Forces left the U.S. 1784 – On June 9, the Bank of New York opened its doors. 1785 – New York City was named the nation’s capital. 1788 –New York became the 11th U.S State. 1789 – George Washington was inaugurated as the first U.S. president in New York City. 1793 – Another major epidemic of yellow fever, the worst in U.S history, decimates an estimated 2000 residents. 1797 – Albany became the capital of the State. 1805 – Yellow Fever epidemic and 50,000 flee New York. 1807 – The North River Steamboat, a steam-propelled vessel, made its first successful voyage on the Hudson River. It was invented by Robert Fulton. 1812-15 – War of 1812 occurred between the United States of America and © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

101

Amazing People of New York

the British Empire. 1821 – Norfolk Island Hurricane hit New York. 1825 – Erie Canal completed which joined the Hudson River to Lake Erie. 1827 – Slavery was legally abolished in New York. 1831 – New York’s first railroad opened. 1853 – The Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations followed in the success of the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. It showcased new industrial achievements from around the world. 1860s – The American Civil War was the most destructive war in U.S history. New York provided a large number of the troops that fought in the war. 1863 – The New York Draft Riots were born from discontent with the new laws drafting men for the Civil War. The riots were the largest rebellion (apart from the war) in American history. 1867 – The first elected transportation line was constructed along Greenwich Street and Ninth Avenue. 1877 – Alexander Graham Bell introduced the first telephone. 1883 – Brooklyn Bridge opened connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan. 1886 – Statue of Liberty was unveiled, which commemorates the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence. 1888 – The Great Blizzard of 1888, experienced snowfalls of 40 – 50 inches on the city. 1898 – The five boroughs of New York City were consolidated into Greater New York. 1900 – Gas street lights were replaced with electric. 1901 – President William McKinley assassinated in Buffalo; Theodore Roosevelt elected president of U.S. 1909 – Hudson – Fulton Celebration was a commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the discovery by Henry Hudson and the 100th anniversary of Robert Fulton’s steamboat. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

102

Amazing People of New York

1918 – Great Influenza Pandemic killed 851 people. The Erie Canal expanded and became the New York State Barge Canal. 1920 - Wall Street bombing killed 40 people. 1929 – New York Stock Exchange crashed and the Great Depression began. 1932 – Lake Placid hosted the Olympic Winter Games. 1939 – World’s Fair opened in New York City. It was the largest world’s fair of all time and was based on the theme, ‘the future.’ 1946 – New York City was chosen as the official headquarters of the United Nations. 1948 – New York International (JFK) Airport opened. 1959 – St Lawrence Seaway opened which allowed ships from the seven seas to access the heart of the American continent. 1964 – The third major World’s Fair opened in New York City. 1973 – The World Trade Centre’s Twin Towers became the world’s tallest buildings. 1996 – The Blizzard of 1996. New York City’s Central Park recorded 20.2 inches (51cm) of snow, which was the fourth largest snowfall on record. 2001 – September 11 - Terrorists attacked World Trade Centre. Nearly 3000 people were killed and billions of dollars in property loss. 2003 – Anti war protest. New York City joined the world protest against the invasion of Iraq. 2006 – The Blizzard of 2006 received an all time largest snowfall of 26.9 inches (68.3cm).

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

103

Amazing People of New York

Films and Musicals about New York Film makers and music impresarios have long had a fascination with New York. Many of their productions feature aspects of life about the city. Here are just a few of the titles that paint portraits of life in the city.

Lights of New York (1916) Written by: Charles L. Gaskill Directed by: Van Dyke Brooke

Coney Island (1917) Written by: Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle Directed by: Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle

Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929) Written by: De Leon Anthony, Avery Hopwood, Robert Lord Directed by: Roy Del Ruth

Central Park (1932) Written by: Ward Morehouse, Earl Baldwin Directed by: John G. Adolfi

42nd Street (1933) Written by: Ryan James, James Seymour, Bradford Ropes Directed by: Lloyd Bacon

Manhattan Melodrama (1934) Written by: Arthur Caesar, Oliver H. P. Garrett Directed by: W. S. Van Dyke

Bowery to Broadway (1944) Written by: Arthur T. Horman, Edmund Joseph, Bart Lytton Directed by: Charles Lamont

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

104

Amazing People of New York

Up in Central Park (1948)

Written by: Dorothy Fields, Herbert Fields, Karl Tunberg Directed by: William A. Seiter

Guys and Dolls (1955) Written by: Jo Swerling, Abe Burrows, Damon Runyon, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Ben Hecht Directed by: Jospeh L. Mankiewicz

A King in New York (1957) Written by: Charles Chaplin Directed by: Charles Chaplin

On the Bowery (1957) Written by: Richard Bagley, Lionel Rogosin, Mark Sufrin Directed by: Lionel Rogosin

West Side Story (1961) Written by: Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents, Earnest Lehman Directed by: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise

Sunday in New York (1963) Written by: Norman Krasna Directed by: Peter Tewksbury

Next Stop: Greenwich Village (1976) Written by: Paul Mazursky Directed by: Paul Mazursky

New York, New York (1977) Written by: Earl Mach Rauk, Mardik Martin Directed by: Martin Scorsese

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

105

Amazing People of New York

Manhattan (1979) Written by: Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman Directed by: Woody Allen

Times Square (1980) Written by: Jacob Brackman, Allan Moyle, Leanne Unger Directed by: Allan Moyle

Brooklyn Bridge (1981) Written by: Amy Stechler Directed by: Ken Burns

Escape from the Bronx (1983) Written by: Tito Carpi Directed by: Enzo G. Castellari

Harlem Nights (1989) Written by: Eddie Murphy Directed by: Eddie Murphy

Straight Out of Brooklyn (1991) Written by: Matty Rich Directed by: Matty Rich

A Bronx Tale (1993) Written by: Chazz Palminteri Directed by: Robert De Niro

Night Falls on Manhattan (1996) Written by: Robert Dale, Sidney Lumet Directed by: Sidney Lumet

The Prince of Central Park (2000) Written by: Evan Rhodes, Jeb Rosebrook Directed by: Harvey Hart © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

106

Amazing People of New York

Sidewalks of New York (2001) Written by: Edward Burns Directed by: Edward Burns

Gangs of New York (2002) Written by: Jay Cocks Directed by: Martin Scorsese

New York Minute (2004) Written by: Emily Fox Directed by: Dennie Gordon

World Trade Center (2006) Written by: Andrea Berloff, John McLoughlin, Donna McLoughlin, William Jimeno, Allison Jimeno Directed by: Oliver Stone

Sex and the City (2008)

Written by: Michael Patrick King, Candace Bushnell, Darren Star Directed by: Michael Patrick King

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

107

Amazing People of New York

Songs about New York There have been many songs written about New York. The list below names just a few of them.

Native New Yorker (Odyssey) New New York (The Cranberries) New York (U2) New York Belongs to Me (Roger Miret and the Disasters) New York Boy (Neil Diamond) New York Central (Eddie James ‘Son House’ Jr) A New York Christmas (Rob Thomas) New York City (Boney M) New York City Blues (Duke Ellington) New York City Cops (The Strokes) New York City Girl (Modern Talking) New York Moon (Louise Redknapp) New York, New York (Frank Sinatra) New York Nights (Jesse Malin) New York Slave (The Blood Brothers) New York State of Mind (Billy Joel) New York, USA (Steve Gainsbourg) Nights in Harlem (Luther Vandross) Nights on Broadway (Bee Gees)

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

108

Amazing People of New York

Annual Celebrations in New York January – Chinese Lunar New Year Parade – Chinatown Commence the year by celebrating the Chinese New Year. The parade winds its way through Chinatown where you will be entertained by cultural performances from traditional and contemporary Asian-American singers and dancers. You will also be delighted by a colorful display of lion, dragon and unicorn dance troupes. The Chinese New Year does not always fall on the same date each year. Sometimes it is held in February. January – The Three Kings Day Parade – East Harlem As part of the Latin American culture, this significant day of the season, is designed to pay tribute to the day the three kings are said to have visited baby Jesus. Every year on this day, the streets of East Harlem are filled with barnyard animals, children and plenty of music. January – New Year’s Eve Ball Drop – Times Square On December 31, 1907 a ball, signifying New Year’s Day, was first dropped at Times Square and the tradition continues. February – The Westminster Kennel Club Annual Dog Show – Madison Square Garden The Westminster Kennel Club is America’s oldest organization and the show is dedicated to purebred dogs. March – St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Fifth Avenue Often regarded as one of New York City’s most popular parades, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is an opportunity to wear green, drink Guinness and enjoy watching the 150,000 marchers pass you by. April – Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival – Fifth Avenue The Easter Parade is held on Easter Sunday. Soak up the Easter festivities as you are entertained by the colorful and eclectic range of costumes and © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

109

Amazing People of New York

bonnets parading along Fifth Avenue. May – Fleet Week – Hudson River, Manhattan Fleet Week is an opportunity to honour the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and those who lost their lives in service to the United States. Visiting ships are open to the public and “The Memorial Day” commemoration is a highlight of the week’s festivities which also includes a military aircraft fly over. May – Five Boro Bike Tour – New York City Attention all biking enthusiasts. Seize the opportunity to cruise the 42-mile course through every borough of New York City. The tour commences at Battery Park and concludes at Staten Island’s Fort Wadsworth, where you will be welcomed by live music, food and an endless supply of massage therapists. You will need to register online. June / July / August – SummerStage – Central Park Central Park plays host to the SummerStage which is a free performing arts festival. The SummerStage is a variety of culturally diverse programs including; dance, music, word, film and comedy which are held in the park throughout the summertime. June – Puerto Rican Day Parade – Fifth Avenue Join a crowd, which is usually over 2 million strong, including New York’s proud Puerto Rican Community for the annual parade of music, food, dance, marching politicians and celebrities. June – Shakespeare in the Park – Central Park As part of New York’s Summer in the Park, pack a picnic, sit back and enjoy a free performance from one of Shakespeare’s classic works. The performances often include a celebrity star-studded cast. July – Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks – New York City Not to be missed are the amazing extravaganza of Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, which is the largest fireworks display in the country. This event © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

110

Amazing People of New York

celebrates Independence Day. August – International Dragon Boat Race Festival – Hudson River The International Dragon Boat Race Festival is one of the largest multicultural activities in New York City. Drawing crowds in the tens of thousands and accommodating 1000 paddlers from all over the world, this is an exhilarating event. September – New York Film Festival – Walter Reade Theater, Manhattan The New York Film Festival runs for approximately two weeks. It celebrates American International cinema and supports ambitious new filmmakers. October – New York’s Village Halloween Parade – Sixth Avenue New York’s Village Halloween Parade is the largest Halloween celebration in the world. It is the only night time parade in New York City and features puppets, marchers and marching bands. It is also open for the public to join in the spooky parade. October – Halloween – Central Park Zoo Boo at the Zoo is a Halloween celebration with the wild animals of Central Park Zoo. There are also a number of Halloween activities from Pumpkin carving to parades throughout October at Central Park, so join in the fun! November – Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – New York City A spectacular parade of balloons, floats, falloons, bands and celebrities that march along the 2.5 mile stretch through the streets of Manhattan including over 4000 of Macy’s employees. December – Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – New York City In the spirit of Christmas, sit back and watch in awe as the five miles of lights are illuminated on the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. The annual event is televised and features musical performances from a variety of popular artists. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

111

Amazing People of New York

Places of Interest

Around the city of New York you will find many places linked to the Amazing People whose BioViews appear in this book. Below are some suggestions for places to visit:

Jak Lenape Where to go Staten Island Museum What to see The Museum hosts a permanent exhibition detailing the story of the Lenape Indians’ lives. What to do Ideal for tourists or educational trips, the installation hosts a number of exhibits including genuine artefacts and specimens relating to various aspects of the Lenapes’ life and their survival.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

112

Amazing People of New York

Captain Giovanni da Verrazzano Where to go The Verrazzano Narrows Bridge crosses the Hudson River, linking Staten Island with Brooklyn. Completed in 1964, it is the longest bridge in the United States (4260 feet long). What to see The New York City Marathon starts on the Staten Island side of the bridge, crossing over to the Brooklyn side. This is the only time pedestrian access to the bridge is allowed. Views from the bridge are of the Hudson River, Staten Island and Brooklyn. What to do The bridge can be crossed by car but this can be expensive. An alternative way of viewing the bridge is from the Staten Island Ferry, which is also an excellent way of viewing other sites and landmarks. The ferry departs from the Whitehall Terminal near Battery Park or, on Staten Island, from St George Ferry Terminal. Other points of interest His statue is in Battery Park. Created by Ettore Ximenes (1855–1926), it was dedicated on October 9, 1909.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

113

Amazing People of New York

Captain Henry Hudson 1. Where to go The Hudson River, which flows all the way from the Adirondack Mountains upstate to New York City. What to see The River offers the chance to view sights of New York, such as the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Verrazzano Narrow Bridge from a different perspective. What to do There are many Hudson River cruises, offering sightseeing and dining. If you want to enjoy a longer trip further upriver, it is possible to book onto a cruise for a number of nights, offering the chance to acquaint oneself with the sights and scenery of the wider New York State. The cruises are most frequent during the warmer months, between April and August. 2. Where to go Hudson River Park What to see The park consists of five miles of upland park and 400 acres of estuarine sanctuary. Officially created in 1998 by the Hudson River Park Act, extensive portions of the park are reserved solely for public recreation. Commercial activities are restricted and all income made within the park is plunged back into the park’s development, maintenance and operations. What to do The park can be enjoyed from land or water – with a range of parkland and woodland as well as an esplanade spanning the entire five miles - and plenty of launches for boats and canoes. There are a range of free events organised during the summer, and year-round boating, bird-watching, fishing and educational field trips. There are various sculptures/art installations which have been especially commissioned.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

114

Amazing People of New York

Peter Minuit Where to go Peter Minuit Plaza (Battery Park) What to see The Plaza is a small park in Lower Manhattan. At the time of writing, the plaza is undergoing reconstruction works, scheduled to finish by end of 2009, and will be home to a new landscaped pedestrianized area. What to do Spend some time relaxing in the plaza and admiring the art installation by Ben van Berkel – New Amsterdam Plein Pavilion which was given to New York to mark the 400th anniversary of the Dutch’s settling of Manhattan. Other points of interest In Inwood Hill Park is a plaque commemorating Minuit’s purchase of Manhattan from the Lenapes. In Battery Park, a flagstaff granite marker depicts the purchase itself.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

115

Amazing People of New York

Jonas Bronk Where to go The Bronx – built upon Jonas Bronk’s farmland. What to see The Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York. The only borough situated primarily on the North American mainland, the Bronx covers 42 square miles, about a quarter of which is open space – including Woodlawn Cemetery ( more than half the size of Central Park and the resting place for over 300,000 people including Irving Berlin and Duke Wellington), and Van Cortlandt Park . What to do Covering such a huge space it’s hard to choose just one or two things - the Bronx hosts many tourist attractions, including the Bronx Zoo, New York Botanical Gardens, Bronx River Art Center and Yankee Stadium, so take your pick!

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

116

Amazing People of New York

Pieter Stuyvesant Where to go Stuyvesant Square, a park in the New York City borough of Manhattan What to see Surrounding the park are Beth Israel Medical Center and the old Stuyvesant High School. The park has a statue of Stuyvesant and also Antonin Dvorak, whose home previously occupied the site of the Beth Israel Medical Centre. What to do Relax in the park, admire the fountains which have survived since the 19th Century, and reflect on the achievements of the men whose statues are placed here. Other points of interest St Mark’s in the Bowery (Church in East Village) where Stuyvesant’s tombstone is built into the wall.

Richard Nicolls Where to go Newtown Playground, Queens What to see The park is less than an acre in size and commemorates Newtown which was formally obtained by Richard Nicolls from three Native Americans: Rocero, Westcoe, and Pomwamken. What to do Relax in the park’s lawned areas and admire the landscaping while your children enjoy the playground.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

117

Amazing People of New York

Stephanus Van Cortlandt Where to go Van Cortlandt Park and Van Cortlandt House Museum, Bronx What to see This is the fourth largest park in New York City, at 1146 square acres and is home to the Van Cortlandt House Museum, the oldest building in the Bronx. The Van Cortlandts had established a grain plantation and grist mill on the land. The house and museum are on the National Register of Historic Places and listed as a National Historic Landmark. What to do As well as visiting the museum, enjoy a round of golf on the Van Cortlandt Golf Course, which opened in 1895 and is located on the park grounds. The ‘Parade Ground’ north of the museum is one of New York’s principal cricket fields. There is a cycle path running through the woods between the cricket field and the golf course. The park is also popular with cross country runners and is home to a number of cross country events, for the public and for schools.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

118

Amazing People of New York

Anna Zenger Where to go Governor’s Island What to see This 172 acre island was previously closed to the public. Now open for day trips, the island is home to a plaque commemorating the quarantining of John Peter Zenger (Anna’s husband). What to do Explore the history of this island which was a military outpost for 242 years. Originally bought by the Dutch from the Native Americans, it was taken over by the British and houses two forts – Fort Jay and Castle Williams – the latter of which being where many civil war captives were held.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

119

Amazing People of New York

George Washington Where to go George Washington Bridge What to see Suspension Bridge connecting Washington Heights in Manhattan to Fort Lee in New Jersey – the bridge is the fourth longest suspension bridge in the USA. What to do Admire the stunning architecture of this structure, the views of the river, and the Manhattan skyline, either by foot or vehicle. Access is free for pedestrians and cyclists but there is a toll for cars. On particular occasions, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day, as well as on dates honoring those lost in the September 11 2001 attacks, the bridge sports the largest free-flying American flag in the world (weather allowing). Other points of interest Fort Washington, Hudson Heights - fortified position used by George Washington in attempt to defend against the British. The fort’s walls are marked in the park by stones and an inscription. The nearby schist is the highest point in Manhattan.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

120

Amazing People of New York

Julian McEvers Where to go Wall Street What to see Wall Street, home to the New York Stock Exchange, is where America made its first audacious architectural assertions and there are many great buildings here built up by grand old banks and businesses. What to do Since the terrorist attacks in 2001 it is no longer possible to visit the viewing gallery of the Stock Exchange however it is worth spending some time along Wall Street and the surrounding area, to admire the architecture and soak up the atmosphere.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

121

Amazing People of New York

Robert Fulton Where to go Fulton Park What to see Statue of Robert Fulton and the Nassau, the first steam ferry from Brooklyn to New York. What to do Relax in this landscaped neighbourhood park which was redesigned in 1997/8. Other points of interest The statue in Fulton Park is a replica of the original which was commissioned in 1872 by Society of Old Brooklynites and was created by Casper Buberl. The original zinc sculpture is now housed in the museum of the City of New York.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

122

Amazing People of New York

Sojourner Truth Where to go Broadway United Church of Christ Broadway – previously Broadway Tabernacle - founded by Charles Finney and central to the abolitionist movement in New York. Sojourner Truth spoke at a suffragist ‘mob convention’ at the Tabernacle in 1853. What to see The Church has relocated more than once since Sojourner’s day and is now based at 2504 Broadway/93rd Street so the building you see today is not the same place where Sojourner Truth stood up all those years ago. What to do Attend a Sunday service, workshop or discussion group. Alternatively, visit the Church when there is no organized activity, to appreciate the quiet and sanctity of the building and consider the history of social change which this church has been associated with. Other points of interest The African Burial Ground Monument stands in Lower Manhattan, marking what is believed to have been the burial place for between 15,000 and 20,000 African-American men, women and children. The Monument is a National Historic Monument and National Landmark. The grounds regularly serve as a location for cultural events and exhibitions. © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

123

Amazing People of New York

Albert Gallatin Where to go New York University was founded upon Gallatin’s belief that higher education should not be available only to those of privileged backgrounds. The main campus, Washington Square, is in the Greenwich Village area of Manhattan. A further campus is located at Union Square, where broadway and Fourth Avenue meet. The NYU is the largest non-profit making higher educational establishment in the United States and was What to see Many buildings throughout New York host different faculties, and have all established themselves in the city’s history at different times. For example, the NYU School of Medicine on Fifth Avenue was founded in 1841, and the Institute of Fine Arts on East 78th Street dates back to 1938. A more recent addition, named after Gallatin and located at the Washington Square center, is the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. What to do It should be noted that, as a private university, and with the security of staff and students in mind, visitors are not free to access the university buildings. Prospective students can however pre-arrange visits with the university. There are also seminars and lectures which can be attended on a wide variety of topics. The locations of the campuses in Greenwich Village and Union Square are worth a visit in their own right, as Greenwich Village has a wealth of history, its development dating back to the 17th Century. Union Square is a National Historic Landmark and was home to the first Labor Day celebration in 1882. You can see the NYU buildings and find out more about these places where the University has embedded itself, from its origins as a student body of 158 to its current enrolment of around 40,000 students. Albert Gallatin would surely be very proud.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

124

Amazing People of New York

John Jacob Astor Where to go The Public Theater on Lafayette Street – previously the Astor Library – just below Astor Place. What to see The Astor Library building was built in 1854, due to a sum of $400,000 which Astor left in his will for the purpose of a public reference library. Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, the library was merged with the Lenox Library to become the New York Public Library (which opened in 1911). Since then, the Astor building has a chequered history, and nearly faced demolition in the 1960s; however the New York Shakespeare Festival were successful in having the building purchased for use as a theater.

What to do Take a trip to the theater to admire this fine old building, the design of which is typical of German architecture of the mid 19th century. On Astor Place itself, named after Astor following his death, admire Tony Rosenthal’s sculpture The Alamo which is popularly known as ‘The Cube’ and is an interactive art display which can be spun around. Other points of interest The New York Public Library owes its existence in part to Astor’s generosity and in itself is worthy of a visit, as a fantastic building and the home to such important documents as Jefferson’s manuscript copy of the Declaration of Independence.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

125

Amazing People of New York

Cornelius Vanderbilt Where to go Grand Central Station springs immediately to mind when thinking of places associated with Cornelius Vanderbilt. The original Grand Central Depot was constructed under Vanderbilt’s instruction in the late 19th Century. Although replaced by the Grand Central Terminal in 1913, Grand Central Station is a lasting monument to Vanderbilt and the effect he had on the development of New York. What to see The station itself is a sight worth seeing. Having been through some less salubrious times, Grand Central is now restored to its 1913 splendor. One of the great landmarks of New York, the concourse can be entered directly from Vanderbilt Avenue (named of course after Cornelius as the founder of the New York Central Railroad). Vanderbilt Hall also adjoins the Terminal building and is now used for events. Grand Central Station is described by some as the heart of New York City. What to do Wander around the concourse, watching the hustle and bustle of busy commuters and travellers. Admire the grand architecture, and take a note of the ceiling which was restored in 1998 and depicts the night sky. Guided tours are available for those wanting to find out more about the Station’s history – free tours are available to all, or private tours can be arranged for a fee. The many restaurants and diners provide a place for visitors to relax, refuel and rest those tired feet and the array of shops provides yet another side to the grand Central experience. All a long way from the time of Vanderbilt; would he ever have imagined all of this could come from his wish to connect the city?

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

126

Amazing People of New York

William Cullen Bryant Where to go Bryant Park (intersection of 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue); previously Reservoir Square, the park was renamed in honour of Bryant after his death, and is adjacent to the New York Public Library (previously the site of the Croton Distributing Reservoir). The park was host to New York’s first World Fair – the Crystal Palace Exhibition – in 1853/4 which instigated one of the first large booms in tourism for the city. What to see The park itself underwent nearly a decade of transformation, having come to disrepute during its history. It hosts many historical monuments, the most prominent of which is the Bryant Memorial, standing as it does in a central position between the Library and the Park. The Bryant Park Corporation, a non-profit organization, maintains the gardens, promenades and ‘lawn’ (an understatement for an area as long as a football pitch), to ensure that the Park is a welcoming, relaxing place for all. What to do As well as enjoying the ambience and sanctuary of this well-maintained park, relax in the Reading Room – originally set up in 1935 as an ‘open-air library’ for out-of-work businessmen and intellectuals down on their luck during the Depression era. There is a carousel and a boules board, to maintain the French feeling to the Park, and the Chess Area provides games of chess, backgammon and Scrabble for a small fee. During the winter, the Pond hosts ice skating, skating shows and parties. The park is also home to various events and concerts throughout the year. Other points of interest On Sixth Avenue, which borders one side of Bryant Park, stands the headquarters of the New York Post – the modern version of the New York Evening Post which Bryant edited. Bryant is also credited with being a leading force behind the creation of Central Park, and also the Metropolitan Museum of Art – both of which are well worth a visit in their own right.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

127

Amazing People of New York

Frederick Olmsted Where to go Central Park What to see Arguably the most well-known of all of New York’s parks, Central Park was the first which Olmstead was to work on. The design has many aspects which would become trademarks of Olmstead’s designs, including winding paths, scenic views and large open areas. What to do Relax in the open lawned areas, go open air ice skating in the winter, visit the Central Park Zoo. Join one of the guided tours which will show you all there is to know about the park or wander at your own pace and try to identify places and scenes from the movies. Other points of interest Olmstead’s work can also be admired in several other New York parks including Prospect Park, Riverside Park and Union Square Park.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

128

Amazing People of New York

Washington Roebling Where to go Brooklyn Bridge What to see Brooklyn Bridge, one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States was once the longest suspension bridge in the world and is now a National Historic Landmark. The names of Washington Roebling, his father John and wife Emily Warren are inscribed on the structure, as its creators. What to do The bridge can be accessed by foot or by vehicle in order to admire the structure and the views.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

129

Amazing People of New York

Thomas Edison Where to go The Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Tower and Museum is based at Menlo Park, New Jersey, where Edison carried out much of his work. The 36 surrounding acres are now known as the Edison State Park. Work is ongoing to rejuvenate the museum and park. What to see A visit to the museum will reveal some of Edison’s original creations, including the phonograph and some of his light bulbs, as well as a collection of memorabilia relating to Edison and his life. The Memorial Tower has been designed to resemble an incandescent light bulb, and stands at an impressive 134 feet high. The State Park is full of wildlife and woodland, and hosts several ravines, and a number of walking trails which are currently being developed. What to do Take some time out to visit this part of New Jersey, and learn more about Edison and his work through the museum. At the foot of the Memorial Tower, take a few moments to recognise the work carried out here at Edison’s place of work, and imagine his excitement and satisfaction at his discoveries and successes. In the Edison State Park, enjoy one of the many walks and admire the great views which are contained within the 36 acres. An ‘archaeology precinct’ is being created in the two acres surrounding the Memorial Tower which, once complete, will enable visitors to enjoy a podcast-based tour including scale-model of Edison’s facilities c. 1878 as well as showcasing many of the archaeological discoveries relating from Edison’s laboratories which have been made in these grounds.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

130

Amazing People of New York

Susan B. Anthony Where to go The city of Rochester, in the state of New York, where Susan B. Anthony lived during the most politically active period of her life, and which is also home to her final resting place at Mount Hope Cemetery. What to see The Susan B. Anthony House, her home during those important years and the site of her arrest in 1872, is now a National Historic Landmark. It is undergoing an extensive programme of restoration to the time of Ms Anthony’s residence, and houses a collection of artefacts and research papers relating directly to her life and work. As well as her burial place at Mount Hope, Rochester is also home to the Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony memorial bridge which crosses the River Genesee; a recent construction (work began in 2004), the bridge is an impressive triple steel-arch structure and is the widest bridge of its type in America. What to do Take a tour around the Susan B. Anthony House, to discover more of her story and imagine the life she lived, in a time when women were viewed as far from equal. Attend one of the According to Anthony luncheon-lectures hosted at the house, covering the life and works of this famous woman as well as the people who were important in her life. Visit the Mount Hope Cemetery to pay your respects at the site of her grave; take the time to appreciate this cemetery in its own right, as it is also home to the graves of many other notable figures from American history and a well-maintained nature area with over 40 species of trees which play home to various birds including New York’s ‘state bird’, the bluebird. Back in the city, take a trip across the great bridge which has been named in Ms Anthony’s honor and can be crossed by car or by foot. Other points of interest The Susan B. Anthony dollar was minted in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1999. She © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

131

Amazing People of New York

was the first real American woman to be given this honor. An opera entitled The Mother of Us All was penned by Virgil Thomson and Gertrude Stein, chronicling Ms Anthony’s life.

Theodore Roosevelt Where to go Sagamore Hill National Historic Site on Long Island – home to Theodore Roosevelt from 1885 until his death in 1919 and during his time in office, known as his ‘Summer White House’. What to see Sagamore Hill is a protected wildlife refuge and is a beautiful place to visit. It is home to the Roosevelt House itself, which Roosevelt had designed and built, and which is largely unchanged since his time living there; there is also the Roosevelt Museum. What to do For the outdoor types, there are 80 acres of natural landscape to enjoy, giving a taste of this part of Long Island which inspired Roosevelt to build his house and home here. There is a half-mile nature trail marked out for visitors who are not feeling overly adventurous. Indoors, take a tour around the home which was built for the former President in the 1880s and don’t forget to visit the museum at Old Orchard, where exhibits and movies tell the story of Roosevelt’s life. Other points of interest Roosevelt’s grave is in Young’s Memorial Cemetery near Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay. He is buried with his wife Edith.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

132

Amazing People of New York

Al Jolson Where to go Winter Garden Theater – where Jolson made his first Broadway appearance in the Theater’s premiere production La Belle Paree. Jolson also appeared here in the Whirl of Society Revue and the musical Honeymoon Express. What to see The theater was built on what was previously the American Horse Exchange Building and was completed in 1911 by W Albert Swasey. Its interior is grander than the exterior, designed and updated in 1922 by Herbert J Krapp. What to do Book yourself a seat for a show at the Theater, in order to fully appreciate the building’s design and acoustics. Imagine going back in time to Al Jolson’s days and feel the history of the place.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

133

Amazing People of New York

John D. Rockefeller Where to go The Rockefeller Center is a space of 22 acres between 48th and 51st Streets, and is occupied by a range of fine buildings including Radio City Music Hall and outdoor spaces such as Garden Park. It is a National Historic Landmark and was developed by Rockefeller who had initially wanted to build an opera house on the site. During the Second World War the International Building North was the US headquarters for British and Allied intelligence. What to see Art Deco architecture of the original buildings, and fine pieces of art including the impressive statues of Atlas and Prometheus. The Top of the Rock Observation deck is 70 storeys high and provides fantastic views of the Big Apple. What to do Take in a show at the world-famous Radio City Music Hall, visit the NBC Studios, and journey to the Top of the Rock for those spectacular views. A guided tour of the Center is available, to take you around the most significant buildings, gardens and spaces. In winter time, you can take a whirl on the ice rink as Prometheus looks on, and stand in awe of the glittering Christmas tree towering above you. There are over 100 stores and 40 places to eat within the Center, and events throughout the year including the Summer Concert series and the switching on of lights on that great tree. Other points of interest Rockefeller University in New York was founded by John D. Rockefeller as the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research. It boasts 23 Nobel Prize winners.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

134

Amazing People of New York

Damon Runyon Where to go Broadway What to see The Richard Rodgers Theater – formerly 46th Street Theater – where Guys and Dolls was first featured in 1950. What to do Take in a show or two – go and see Guys and Dolls if possible. Take some time to soak up the atmosphere and try to imagine the Broadway of Runyon’s Day. Other points of interest The Damon Runyon Stakes Race is run in December every year at the Aqueduct Race track in Queens.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

135

Amazing People of New York

Fiorello Henry La Guardia Where to go LaGuardia Place. What to see La Guardia Place Garden and the La Guardia Statue. The Place runs from Washington Square South to Houston Street, where its name changes to West Broadway and it leads directly to the World Trade Center site. What to do Take some time to enjoy the sights which, as well as the monuments to La Guardia, include the NYU library, Washington Square Village and a Community Garden. There are also restaurants and shops to be visited which will provide some relief, if needed, from sight-seeing.

Oscar Hammerstein Where to go Broadway theater district, New York. With its 40 theaters, Broadway is ranked alongside London’s West End in terms of high-level commercial productions. Broadway itself is a road which runs the entire length of Manhattan, and on to the Bronx. It is worth bearing in mind that many of the Broadway theaters are not on Broadway itself. What to see Broadway is home to many glamorous theaters (including the Richard Rodgers Theater on West 46th Street, named for the man with whom Hammerstein produced a number of musicals including Carousel and The Sound of Music). The theaters in turn host many glamorous stars in their productions. What to do Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of this vibrant area, go star spotting or, of course, take in one of the many shows which are on offer.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

136

Amazing People of New York

Other points of interest Hammerstein’s ashes are buried at the Ferncliff Mausoleum and Cemetery in Greenburgh, Westchester County; about 25 miles north of Manhattan. The York Theater Company in New York is administrator for the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theater, which is given annually and whose recipients include the conductor Stephen Sondheim.

Othmar Amman Where to go George Washington Bridge, Bayonne Bridge, Triborough Bridge, BronxWhitestone Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge and Verrazzano Narrows Bridge. What to see The various works and achievements of Amman and his colleagues. What to do Admire the structure and design of each bridge, and the views which each affords.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

137

Amazing People of New York

Robert Moses Where to go The Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, previously the Triborough Bridge, is actually a collaboration of three bridges which join The Bronx, Manhattan and Queens. Associated with the bridge are also a number of smaller bridges and viaducts, 14 miles of approach roads, parks and recreational facilities. Robert Moses was responsible for resurrecting this great project in the 1930s, after some early struggles with funding in part due to the great Stock Market Crash.. What to see From the bridges it is possible to see many different aspects and views of New York, its suburbs, parks and waterways. What to do Take a trip across each of the three legs of the bridge to admire the different views – at sunrise, or sunset, admire the skyline and the sun reflecting on the great rivers. There are also walkways across each part of the bridge, and walking provides the most leisurely way to enjoy the views of the city and of the impressive structures of the RFK Bridge. Cyclists are advised that current rules require them to dismount and push their bikes across rather than cycle. Tolls exist for crossing the bridge, varying dependent upon your chosen method of crossing.

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

138

Amazing People of New York

Index Amman, Othmar

Places of Interest

BioView Places of Interest

84 137

Annual Celebrations

109

Didion, Joan Quote

62 131

Astor, John Jacob BioView Places of Interest

Films & Musicals

104

BioView Places of Interest

Bronk, Jonas

38 124

Gelb, Arthur

10 116

Quote

80

La Guardia, Fiorello Henry

Bryant, William Cullen

BioView Places of Interest

54 127

78 136

Hamilton, Alexander

Chapman, John Jay Quote

BioView

27

32

Hammerstein, Oscar

Clinton, George BioView

BioView Places of Interest

28

Clinton, Governor BioView

82 136

Hanlon, Patrick

22

BioView

van Cortlandt, Stephanus BioView

34 122

Gallatin, Albert

92 116

BioView Places of Interest

58 130

BioView Places of Interest

Berlin, Irving

BioView Places of Interest

BioView Places of Interest

Fulton, Robert

40 125

BioView Places of Interest

53

Edison, Thomas

Anthony, Susan B. BioView Places of Interest

118

16 © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

139

42

Amazing People of New York

Hudson, Henry

Moses, Robert

BioView Places of Interest

8 114

BioView Places of Interest

Hoggart, Simon

Neau, Elias

Quote

80

BioView

Jervis, John Bloomfield BioView

BioView Places of Interest

36

BioView Places of Interest

BioView Places of Interest

Keller, Helen Lenape, Jak 4 112

BioView Places of Interest

46

Roosevelt, Theodore BioView Places of Interest

30 121

74 134 60 129 68 132

Rosenthal, A.M. Quote

Minuit, Peter

80

Runyon, Damon

9 115

BioView Places of Interest

Morand, Paul Quote

98

48

McEvers, Julian

BioView Places of Interest

Population Growth

Roebling, Washington

Lyons, Albro

BioView Places of Interest

66

BioView Places of Interest

70

Lozier, Clemence Sophia

BioView

BioView

Rockerfeller, John D.

Lilly, Mary BioView

56 128

Plunkitt, George

27

BioView Places of Interest

14 117

Olmstead, Frederick Law

72 133

Quote

18

Nicolls, Richard

Jolson, Al

BioView

92 138

52 © Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

140

76 135

Amazing People of New York

Sands, Leroy

Zenger, Anna

BioView

94

BioView Places of Interest

Sanger, Margaret BioView

86

Songs

108

Stuyvesant, Pieter BioView Places of Interest

11 117

Trollope, Francis Quote

26

Truth, Sojourner BioView Places of Interest

44 123

Twain, Mark BioView

64

Vanderbilt, Cornelius BioView Places of Interest

50 126

da Verrazzano, Giovanni BioView Places of Interest

6 113

Washington, George BioView Places of Interest

24 120

White, E.B. Quote

52

Whitman, Walt Quote

26

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

141

20 119

Amazing People of New York

Amazing People Team The following have contributed to the publications of the Amazing People Club for which we express our appreciation. Frances Corcoran – Vice President - International Publishing Emily Hamilton - Illustrator Emma Braithwaite - Publishing Coordinator Katharine Smith - Managing Editor Kirri Robinson - Editor Lisa Moffatt - Editor James Maxwell - Graphic Designer - Decogekko Creative Rodney Bain - Creative Project Manager – Varjak Designs Denis Bedson - Support Illustrator Monica Lawlor - Publishing Coordinator Alan Ernst - Guest Editor Paul Harris - Chief Audio Engineer Jennifer Harris - Audio Coordinator James Rix - Audio Engineer Emily Moxon - Support Editor Gregory Robinson - Audio Engineer Dr Charles Margerison - President and Author

®

The Amazing People Club ®

© Dr Charles J Margerison - The Amazing People Club

142

The Amazing People Club ®

To learn more about our series visit

www.amazingpeopleclub.com Many of our titles are available in audio formats.

®

AMAZING AMERICANS From poverty to riches. From colonists and slaves to citizens with a vote. From a log cabin to the White House. All images of the United States of America. How did people transform a nation to be a power house of business and democratic life? Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln established principles. Within the political frameworks, people like Earhart, Salk, Morse, Julian and Gilbreth changed their nation. Each of the BioViews provides an insight into their contributions, as if they had been interviewed, but without purporting to use their words. Be inspired by those who made exceptional contributions. Experience these and many other outstanding stories in Amazing Americans.