Maria Longworth by Rosa Angela Boehle

Reviewed by Vicki Carver

Cincinnati has had an interesting history as a “river town” dating back to the early 1800’s. As a young city, Cincinnati had beautiful fields, valleys and hills. Nicholas Longworth bought large tracts of land in the early 1800’s which he later sold as the city began to develop. Longworth rapidly became a very wealthy man.

Maria, by Rose Angela Boehle, is the biography of Maria Longworth, born in 1849, who was a granddaughter of Nicholas Longworth. Being born into a wealthy, affluent family enabled Maria to live a privileged life which is explained in this biography.

Maria was raised in an environment which encouraged her to become interested in her surroundings and question controversial issues. Her parents, Joseph and Annie Longworth, hired private tutors to educate their children and prepare them for lives of service to others through the use of their position and affluence.

Annie Longworth died when Maria was 14 years old. It was a difficult  time for the family and increased Maria’s responsibility in helping her father. In 1968 she married her first husband, George Nicholas who was much older than Maria. They had two children, Margaret and Joseph. It was during this time, after the Civil War, that Maria seriously began her altruistic activities. She became concerned about unmarried German women living in the Over-the-Rhine area who had a difficult time,  especially if they had children. Maria funded agencies to help these young women learn job skills and become more independent.

Maria also had a strong artistic personality which became increasingly important to her after her marriage to Nicholas. They used their creative skills to influence the development of the Cincinnati Art  Museum and Academy, Cincinnati Symphony, May Festival, Music Hall and the School of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Maria was also the founder of the Rookwood Pottery and created many beautiful works of art.

Maria’s second husband was Billamy Storer, a wealthy lawyer who became active in politics and eventually was an ambassador in several European countries. Maria learned to love Europe and spent the last 10 years of her life living in Paris.

Maria is a worthwhile reading experience for anyone who is interested in the history of Cincinnati and the years between 1850 and World War I. There are also many photographs which enrich the telling of Maria
Longworth’s incredible life.
 

Highland County District Library
Highland County, OH