King Lehr and the Gilded Age

By Elizabeth Wharton Drexel - lady Decies and Elizabeth Drexel Lehr

Book Overview

The Inner Life of the Gilded Age's Court Jester

Harry Symes Lehr was born in 1869 into a family that was neither wealthy nor socially prominent. His natural gift for entertaining and his penchant for hobnobbing with the very rich earned him entry to the powerful circle of New York and Newport social elite during the Gilded Age. Lehr hosted lavish and themed parties that captivated the social scene who dubbed him "King Lehr." One of his admirers and patrons, Mrs. Stuyvesant Fish, introduced him to the young widow Elizabeth Wharton Drexel. Drexel was smitten with young Harry, his elegant dress, and outrageous behavior. Soon they married.

But King Lehr had a secret. On their wedding night he cruelly dictated to his new wife that they would not live in a happy marriage nor would it be consummated. For twenty-three years Elizabeth lived in a loveless and abusive marriage. After Harry's death, Elizabeth remarried a baron and as Lady Decies, wrote down her secret story in 1938. Incorporating Harry's most intimate diaries, Lady Decies reveals a scandalous tale of power, desire, and deception.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1557099634
• ISBN13: 9781557099631
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Applewood Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

As an expert on the Gilded Age I can say...

that this is one of the better memoirs from someone of this era. It is obvious that an earlier reviewer did not read this book because he/she accuses the authoress of racism, etc, etc. Had the reviewer read the book it would have been obvious that the racist comments were not by the authoress but by other people mentioned in the book. On the contrary, the authoress goes out of her way to disparage these comments. So here's the real scoop: As an expert in this field (Ive read everything)if you like this subject then this is a book to own.

King Lear and the Gilded Age

Led to this book after reading NEWPORT by John Jakes. Good picture of society in Newport, RI during the time of the Asters, Vanderbilts, etc.