Mason, Charlotte

Mason, Charlotte

▪ American philanthropist
in full  Charlotte Osgood Mason , née  Charlotte Louise Van Der Veer Quick 
born May 18, 1854, Princeton, N.J., U.S.
died April 15, 1946, New York, N.Y.

      American philanthropist who for a time encouraged many artists of the Harlem Renaissance. Known as “Godmother,” she was a generous patron, but her controlling nature often caused conflict with her beneficiaries.

      Mason was born into a wealthy family. She married a prominent physician and socialized with dignitaries and dilettantes. Following her husband's death about 1903, she began to seek the spirituality that she associated with those she termed “primitives.” She began her quest by traveling through the American Southwest and living with Plains Indians. In 1927, after hearing a lecture by philosopher Alain Locke (Locke, Alain), she turned her attention to African Americans.

      The Harlem neighbourhood of New York City attracted numerous white philanthropists and publishers, and Mason soon joined their ranks. With Locke as her confidant and talent scout, Mason made her Park Avenue penthouse a centre for leading black artists, writers, and musicians, among whom were numbered the poet Claude McKay (McKay, Claude) and the painter Aaron Douglas (Douglas, Aaron).

      Mason took particular interest in the writers Langston Hughes (Hughes, Langston) and Zora Neale Hurston (Hurston, Zora Neale), but her financial support came at a price. She meddled in Hughes's life, dissuading him from visiting certain people and places, and made Hurston sign a contract that forbade her from publishing any material without Mason's express permission. Both writers reacted against such measures, and by 1932 Mason had banished them from her fold. Soon after this, her interest and involvement in the Harlem Renaissance ended.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Charlotte Mason — Charlotte Osgood Mason (* 18. Mai 1854 in Princeton (New Jersey); † 15. April 1946 in New York City) war eine US amerikanische Philanthropin und Mäzenatin von Schriftstellern der Harlem Renaissance. Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Leben 2 Literatur …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Charlotte Mason — For the American philanthropist and socialite see Charlotte Osgood Mason. Charlotte Maria Shaw Mason Born 1 January 1842 Bangor, Gwynedd Died 16 January 1923(1923 01 16) (aged 81) …   Wikipedia

  • Charlotte Osgood Mason — For the British educator, see Charlotte Mason. Charlotte Osgood Mason (Born Charlotte Louise Van der Veer Quick (May 18, 1854, Princeton, New Jersey April 15, 1946, New York City)[1] was an American socialite and philanthropist. Coming from a… …   Wikipedia

  • Charlotte Mason — Charlotte Mason, (née le 1er janvier 1842 à Bangor et décédée le 16 janvier 1923) est une enseignante britannique qui a consacré sa vie à améliorer la qualité de l enseignement des enfants. Ses idées …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Charlotte Hoyle — Coronation Street character Portrayed by Becky Hindley Created by Kim Crowther Duration 2010 First appear …   Wikipedia

  • Mason — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Alfred Edward Woodley Mason (1865–1948), englischer Schriftsteller Anthony Mason (* 1966), US amerikanischer Basketballspieler Armistead Thomson Mason (1787–1819), US amerikanischer Politiker Bill Mason… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Mason Plumlee — College Duke Conference Atlantic Coast Conference Sport Basketball Position Forward Jersey # …   Wikipedia

  • Charlotte County, Virginia — Seal …   Wikipedia

  • Charlotte Hall Military Academy — Charlotte Hall Historic District, White House, July 2009 Charlotte Hall Military Academy, located at Charlotte Hall, Maryland, was established as Charlotte Hall School in 1774 by Queen Charlotte to provide for the liberal and pious education of… …   Wikipedia

  • Charlotte de Berry — Born 1636 Type Pirate Place of birth England Allegiance Pirate Rank Captain …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”