Fife, Sarah Gildersleeve, 1885-1949

Person

Biography

Sarah Gildersleeve Fife (1885-1949) was a prominent force among women bibliophiles in the first half of the 20th century and a leader in gardeing and horticulture, advorcating the use of plantings around army bases and military hospitals. She was born to Ferdinand and Harriet Northam Gildersleeve in Connecticut. Her grandfather, Philip, fought with the Colonel Josaiah Smith during the American Revolution. She married Robert Herndon Fife, a professor of Germanic languages and literature at Columbia University. They had no children. She died in Hartford, Connecticut. She is buried in Porland Burying Ground, Portland, Connecticut. Her husband is buried in the Fife Family Cemetery, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Letter and calling card from Sarah Gildersleeve Fife, 333 East 68th Street, New York to Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss, April 1939 Digital

FOUND IN: Dumbarton Oaks / Collection: Dumbarton Oaks Garden Archives / Series: Correspondence / Sub-Series: Mildred Bliss Office Files, A-Havey / Sub-Group: Dumbarton Oaks, Garden, Appreciation Letters

File — Box E, Folder: 4, item: 46Identifier: DDO-RB-GAR-001, E4:Fife 1939.04.27

Scope and Contents:

Handwritten letter from Sarah Gildersleeve Fife [Mrs. Robert Herndon Fife] to Mildred Bliss received April 27, 1939 tells her Fife enjoyed so much seeing her beautiful garden. Mr. [James] Bryce explained everything so nicely. "Thank you so much."