Emilie Drexel Biddle

Detail of photograph of Emilie Drexel Biddle

Title

Emilie Drexel Biddle

Subject

Biddle, Emilie Drexel, 1851-1883

Biographical Text

Emilie Taylor Drexel, Anthony J. Drexel's oldest child, married Edward Biddle, III, in 1872. She was a spirited young woman—a gifted pianist with a reputation as a tomboy in her younger years. Edward's relationships with his wife Emilie and his father-in-law Anthony were fraught. He was a controlling husband and a reluctant, and at times belligerent, banker.

One day during a gathering with friends, Emilie attempted to show off her strength by lifting the corner of a grand piano off the ground. This was said to have damaged her heart and she died days later.

The couple had three surviving children, Anthony Joseph Drexel Biddle, Sr., Livingston Ludlow Biddle, Sr., and Edward Craig Biddle.

Birth Date

September 15, 1851

Death Date

January 21, 1883

Birthplace

Philadelphia, Pa.

Source

Detail of Portrait of Mrs. E. Biddle
Undated
F. Gutekunst (Philadelphia, Pa.)
MC.00.071 John R. Drexel III and Alice Troth Drexel papers, Drexel University Archives, Drexel University
20150520028-a

Rights

Public domain, digitized by Drexel University Archives. Please credit the “Drexel University Archives, Drexel University” in the case of image use and reproduction. Please contact the Drexel University Archives with questions.

Citation

“Emilie Drexel Biddle,” Drexel Exhibits, accessed April 20, 2024, https://drexelexhibits.omeka.net/items/show/229.

Item Relations

This Item is primary topic of Item: Drexel-Biddle family tree
Item: Photograph of Emilie Drexel Biddle depicts This Item