Evelyn Nesbit

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Evelyn Nesbit's life is a fascinating and tragic tale, marked by her rise as a model and actress in the early 20th century, her involvement in a notorious murder case, and her later career in silent films.

Born on December 25, 1884 or 1885, as Florence Evelyn Nesbit, she began her career as an artist's model in Philadelphia while still in her early teens. Her family later moved to New York, where she continued her work as a model, posing for well-known artists such as James Carroll Beckwith, Frederick S. Church, and Charles Dana Gibson, who portrayed her as a "Gibson Girl." Her beauty and charm gained her attention in the rapidly expanding worlds of fashion photography and pin-up art.

Transitioning to Broadway, Nesbit initially worked as a chorus line dancer before rising to prominence as a featured star. Her beauty attracted the attention of various wealthy men, including Stanford White, a prominent architect 32 years her senior. In 1905, she married Harry Kendall Thaw, a multi-millionaire with a history of mental instability and abusive behavior.

The notorious incident occurred on June 25, 1906, when Thaw shot and killed Stanford White at the rooftop theatre of Madison Square Garden. The murder was driven by Thaw's obsessive jealousy and fixation on Nesbit, whom he believed had been wronged by White. The ensuing trial was dubbed the "Trial of the Century" due to its sensational coverage. Nesbit testified that White had drugged and raped her, but it was revealed that she had also entered into a consensual relationship with him after the alleged incident.

After the trial, Nesbit visited Thaw in mental asylums and later toured Europe with a dance troupe. Her son, Russell Thaw, was born during this time. Nesbit eventually moved to Hollywood, where she appeared in numerous silent films. She penned two memoirs about her life, published in 1914 and 1934.

Evelyn Nesbit passed away in Santa Monica, California, on January 17, 1967. Her life story remains a captivating chapter in the cultural history of the early 20th century, filled with glamour, scandal, and tragedy.