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Stanley G. Mortimer Jr.

Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. (May 12, 1913 – August 11, 1999) was an American advertising executive, sportsman, and scion of New York high society, renowned for his equestrian pursuits, elite social connections, and marriages to prominent figures in American aristocracy.^[1] Born in Tuxedo Park, New York, into a family of Wall Street financiers and industrialists, Mortimer exemplified the refined leisure class of mid-20th-century America through his involvement in horse racing, tennis, golf, and exclusive clubs.^[1]^[2] The eldest son of stockbroker Stanley Grafton Mortimer Sr. and Kathleen Tilford Mortimer—daughter of Standard Oil co-founder Henry Morgan Tilford—Mortimer descended from Founding Father John Jay through his paternal grandmother and grew up amid the opulence of Tuxedo Park, a gated enclave founded by his forebears.^[1]^[3]^[4] He was educated at the prestigious St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts, before graduating from Harvard University in 1936.^[1] During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy's Pacific theater, rising to the rank of lieutenant commander.^[1] In his professional life, Mortimer directed advertising for major airlines, including Trans World Airlines and Pan American World Airways, blending corporate acumen with his patrician background.^[1] His personal life intertwined with America's elite: he married socialite Barbara "Babe" Cushing in 1940, with whom he had two children—Stanley G. Mortimer III and Amanda Mortimer Burden—before their 1946 divorce; in 1947, he wed Kathleen Harriman, daughter of governor and diplomat W. Averell Harriman, and fathered three sons: David H., Jay L., and Averell H. Mortimer.^[1]^[3] A dedicated sportsman, he was a Jockey Club member who owned the acclaimed Keewaydin racing stable in France, competed in tennis and hunting-dog field trials, maintained a low-handicap in golf, and held memberships in bastions of privilege like the Racquet and Tennis Club, the Metropolitan Club, and the National Golf Links of America.^[1] Mortimer died at his Harriman, New York, home at age 86, leaving a legacy of understated elegance in American social history.^[1]

Early Life and Education

Family Background

Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. was born on May 12, 1913, in Tuxedo Park, New York, to Stanley Grafton Mortimer Sr., a prominent Wall Street stockbroker, and Kathleen Hunt Tilford Mortimer, the daughter of Henry Morgan Tilford, a founder of the Standard Oil Company of California.^[1]^[1] The Mortimer family resided in Keewaydin, a historic Stanford White-designed house in Tuxedo Park that had previously belonged to the Lorillard family, underscoring their deep ties to the enclave's elite social fabric.^[1] His paternal grandfather, Richard Mortimer, was a notable New York financier and real estate investor who played a key role in developing properties in Tuxedo Park, including the family estate Mortemar, and was a prominent figure in Gilded Age society.^[5] Through his paternal lineage, Mortimer Jr. descended from John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, via his grandmother Eleanor Jay Chapman Mortimer, which reinforced the family's old-money status and connections to America's founding elite.^[5]^[1] The Mortimer family exemplified early 20th-century New York aristocracy through their entrenchment in finance—spanning stockbroking and oil ventures—and real estate development, particularly in exclusive enclaves like Tuxedo Park, which they helped establish as a bastion of social exclusivity for the city's wealthiest families.^[1] This heritage of wealth and privilege provided a foundation that later influenced Mortimer Jr.'s pursuits in sports such as horse racing and tennis.^[1]

Childhood and Schooling

Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. was born on May 12, 1913, in Tuxedo Park, an exclusive gated community in Orange County, New York, where he spent his formative years in a privileged environment shaped by his family's social standing.^[4] As the eldest child of Stanley G. Mortimer, a Wall Street broker and descendant of Founding Father John Jay, and Kathleen Tilford Mortimer, daughter of Standard Oil executive Henry Morgan Tilford, young Stanley grew up alongside five siblings: Henry Tilford Mortimer (born 1916), Eve Mortimer (born 1918), Katherine Mortimer (born 1922), Richard Mortimer, and John Jay Mortimer.^[1]^[6] The family resided at Keewaydin, a historic Stanford White-designed estate in Tuxedo Park originally built for tobacco magnate Pierre Lorillard IV, which provided a stable and affluent setting amid the interwar period.^[1] His childhood was immersed in the outdoor pursuits and communal life of Tuxedo Park, a planned enclave established in 1886 as a retreat for New York's elite, featuring extensive grounds for recreation. Through family estates and the area's renowned Tuxedo Club—founded in 1886 and offering facilities for golf, tennis, sailing, and other activities—Mortimer gained early exposure to sports and social events that fostered a lifelong interest in athletics.^[7]^[8] The community's emphasis on hunting, fishing, and lakeside leisure, centered around Lake Tuxedo, contributed to a idyllic pre-World War II upbringing marked by family gatherings and seasonal traditions.^[9] Mortimer attended St. Mark's School, a prestigious Episcopal boarding school in Southborough, Massachusetts, for his preparatory education, where the institution's strong emphasis on athletics introduced him to organized sports such as tennis.^[1] This environment, known for its rigorous academic and extracurricular programs, helped shape his competitive spirit during his teenage years.

University Years

Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. enrolled at Harvard University following his preparatory education at St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts.^[1] He graduated from Harvard in 1936 with a bachelor's degree, marking the completion of his higher education amid the social and intellectual milieu of the Cambridge campus.^[1] Upon graduation, Mortimer transitioned into early adulthood within New York high society, leveraging his family's longstanding connections in Tuxedo Park and Manhattan circles for initial social engagements, prior to the onset of World War II.^[1]

Professional Career

Military Service

Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942, following the nation's entry into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor.^[10] He served actively in the Pacific Theater, where he participated in naval operations against Japanese forces until the war's end.^[1] During his tenure, Mortimer advanced through the ranks to Lieutenant Commander, reflecting his leadership and dedication in a demanding combat environment.^[10] He was honorably discharged in 1945, returning to civilian life as the conflict concluded.^[1]

Advertising Executive Roles

Following his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1945, where his service as a lieutenant commander instilled a disciplined approach to professional responsibilities, Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. entered the advertising industry by joining the prominent firm Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn (BBDO) as an account executive.^[11] In this role during the late 1940s and early 1950s, he managed key client accounts, including Trans World Airlines (TWA), contributing to promotional efforts that supported the airline's expansion in the post-war era.^[12] His experience at BBDO positioned him for in-house leadership opportunities in aviation advertising. In June 1952, Mortimer transitioned to an in-house position at Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) as advertising manager, a role that quickly evolved into director of advertising.^[13] He served as director of advertising for Pan Am.^[1] Mortimer also served as director of advertising for TWA.^[1] Mortimer's career in advertising spanned over three decades, marked by his ability to balance high-stakes executive duties with personal pursuits such as sports.^[1] His contributions helped shape public perceptions of air travel during a transformative period, though he maintained a low public profile outside professional circles. Throughout his tenure at both airlines, Mortimer's leadership ensured consistent messaging that aligned with technological advancements and passenger expectations.

Sporting Interests

Horse Racing Pursuits

Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. was a prominent figure in thoroughbred horse racing, reflecting a family tradition of equestrian pursuits influenced by his grandfather's legacy as a noted polo player and huntsman. He held membership in the prestigious Jockey Club of New York, an organization central to American racing governance and elite sporting circles.^[1]^[14] Mortimer established the Keewaydin racing stable, named after the family's historic estate in Tuxedo Park, New York, and focused its operations primarily in France during the mid-20th century. The stable achieved notable success in European thoroughbred racing over many years, competing in prominent events and demonstrating Mortimer's deep commitment to the sport.^[1] His involvement extended into the 1980s, with ownership of horses such as Pollock, which placed fifth in the 1988 Prix de Verries hurdles race at Rouen, covering 3,400 meters. While specific major victories are not extensively documented, the stable's sustained performance in French racing circuits underscored Mortimer's long-term dedication and strategic approach to breeding and competition.^[15]

Tennis and Golf Activities

Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. was an avid tennis player who regularly participated in amateur matches and club tournaments in New York and Tuxedo Park.^[1] As a member of the Racquet and Tennis Club in New York, he engaged in competitive racket sports, including racquets, where he competed in the annual Gold Racquet tournament at the Tuxedo Racquet and Tennis Club.^[1] In 1937, he was eliminated in the first round of the event by Warren Ingersoll with scores of 15-4, 15-9, and 15-7.^[16] Two years later, in 1939, Mortimer Jr. paired with John Fincke in doubles play, but they lost to Bobby Grant and C. J. Dexter, 6–15, 15–11, 9–15, 15–6, 15–2.^[17] Mortimer Jr. also took part in lawn tennis events at the Tuxedo Club, reflecting his enthusiasm for racket sports within his family's longstanding Tuxedo Park community. In the 1952 Tuxedo tournament, he advanced to a round where he was defeated by Pearson, 6-2, 6-0.^[18] These activities underscored his commitment to amateur play among elite social circles, often at exclusive venues like the Tuxedo Club, where he later served on the board of governors.^[1] In addition to tennis, Mortimer Jr. was a dedicated golfer with a low handicap, enjoying the sport at prestigious Long Island and New York clubs.^[1] He held memberships at the National Golf Links of America and the Southampton Club, where he participated in society golf events alongside peers from high society.^[1] His golfing pursuits complemented his broader sporting interests, emphasizing recreational excellence rather than professional competition.^[1] Mortimer also took part in hunting-dog field trials.^[1]

Personal Life

Marriages and Children

Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. married Barbara "Babe" Cushing, a debutante from a distinguished Boston medical family and later one of the era's most celebrated socialites, on September 21, 1940, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in East Hampton, New York.^[2]^[19] The union, set against the backdrop of impending global conflict, united two prominent social circles and produced two children: Stanley G. Mortimer III, born in 1942, and Amanda Jay Mortimer, born January 18, 1944.^[20]^[21] The couple divorced in 1946 amid the strains of postwar readjustment, after which Cushing remarried William S. Paley, head of CBS, becoming the iconic Babe Paley.^[1] Their children grew into notable figures; Stanley III pursued a career in finance and real estate, while Amanda, who later took the surname Burden upon her marriage to actor Carter Burden, emerged as a leading urban planner, chairing the New York City Planning Commission from 2002 to 2013 and shaping initiatives like the High Line park.^[21] In 1947, shortly after his divorce, Mortimer wed Kathleen Lanier Harriman, the younger daughter of statesman W. Averell Harriman and a journalist known for her wartime reporting from Moscow, in an intimate family ceremony on October 11 at her father's 25,000-acre Arden estate in the Ramapo Mountains, New York.^[11] The marriage, officiated by Rev. Luke G. Ray of Monroe Presbyterian Church and attended only by relatives and close friends, further embedded Mortimer in elite political and financial networks through the Harriman lineage.^[11] The couple had three sons: David Harriman Mortimer, born October 25, 1948; Jay Lawrence Mortimer, born circa 1950 and died December 19, 2024; and Averell Harriman Mortimer, born November 7, 1956.^[22]^[23]^[24] The sons from this union maintained low public profiles while engaging in professional lives in New York; Jay, for instance, married Prudence Halle Bach in 1986 at her family's Manhattan home.^[25] This second marriage lasted until Mortimer's death in 1999, reflecting a stable partnership within New York's upper echelons.^[1]

Residences and Later Years

In his later years, Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. resided at the Harriman family estate in Harriman, New York, where he lived with his wife, Kathleen Harriman Mortimer, following their marriage in 1947. This estate, associated with his father-in-law W. Averell Harriman, became the site of significant personal events and his final home. He maintained strong ties to Tuxedo Park, having grown up at the family estate Keewaydin, a Stanford White-designed mansion originally built for Pierre Lorillard IV, which served as a longstanding center for the Mortimer family's social gatherings and sporting endeavors.^[1]^[26]^[10] In late June 1969, Mortimer survived a suicide attempt at the Harriman estate, where he shot himself in the abdomen with a 20-gauge shotgun; he was discovered by his wife and hospitalized in satisfactory condition, recovering fully by late June. The incident was linked to his diagnosed manic-depression, amid broader personal struggles that may have been influenced by his earlier divorce and ongoing health challenges.^[10]^[27] Following retirement from his advertising career in the late 20th century, Mortimer spent the 1980s and 1990s in relative seclusion at the Harriman estate, supported by his wife and children from his marriages, while remaining connected to family traditions and social circles. His children played a key role in providing familial support during this period.^[1] Mortimer died on August 11, 1999, at the age of 86 in his Harriman home from natural causes after a prolonged illness. A memorial service was held on September 20, 1999, at St. Thomas Church in Manhattan, and his remains were cremated.^[1]^[28]^[6]

References

[1]
Stanley G. Mortimer Jr., 86, Sportsman and Ad Executive
Aug 14, 1999 · Mr. Mortimer was educated at St. Mark's School and graduated from Harvard in 1936. He served in the Pacific in World War II, rising to ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[2]
Stanley Grafton Mortimer Jr. (1913–1999) - Ancestors Family Search
He married Barbara Cushing on 21 September 1940. He immigrated to New York City, New York, United States in 1957 and lived in Manhattan, New York City, New York ...Missing: G. | Show results with:G.
[3]
The Mortimer Family | Observer
Dec 18, 2006 · Her father, Stanley Jr., who died in 1999, had five siblings, Henry, Richard, John Jay, Katherine and Eve. John Jay is the father of Topper, ...
[4]
Richard Mortimer - Wikipedia
Through his son Stanley, he was the grandfather of Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. (1913–1999), who was married to Babe Paley, and then Kathleen Harriman ...Missing: parents | Show results with:parents
[5]
S.G. MORTIMER DIES; RACQUETS STAR, 56; Former U.S. Singles ...
Born in Italy on Dec. 11, 1890, Mr. Mortimer was the son of Richard Mortimer, New York financier, and Eleanor Jay Chapman Mortimer, a descendant of John Jay, ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[6]
Stanley Grafton Mortimer Jr. (1913-1999) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree
Aug 28, 2019 · Stanley was born on 12 May 1913 [1] in Tuxedo Park, Orange County, New York. He was the eldest of six children born to Stanley Grafton Mortimer (1890-1947)
[7]
Stanley Grafton Mortimer Jr. (1913-1999) - Find a Grave Memorial
Birth: 12 May 1913. Tuxedo Park, Orange County, New York, USA ; Death: 11 Aug 1999 (aged 86). Harriman, Orange County, New York, USA ; Burial. Cremated.
[8]
The Tuxedo Club Home Page
The Tuxedo Club is a distinctive social institution that, since 1886, has provided its members and their families and guests with recreation and refuge.History · Lake Activities · Golf · MembershipMissing: outdoor | Show results with:outdoor
[9]
Tuxedo Park, N.Y.: A Time Warp Beyond the Stone Gates
Apr 5, 2017 · Founded in the 1880s by the tobacco baron Pierre Lorillard IV as a hunting and fishing playground for his fellow tycoons, Tuxedo Park now sits ...Missing: outdoor activities<|control11|><|separator|>
[10]
If You're Thinking of Living in: Tuxedo Park - The New York Times
Aug 11, 1991 · Bruce Price, who later lived in Tuxedo Park, designed the club and its facilities as well as several cottages and the gatehouse. His daughter, ...Missing: outdoor | Show results with:outdoor
[11]
Harriman Son-in-Law Recovering After Shooting; Stanley Mortimer ...
Mr. Mortimer is a graduate of St. Mark's School and Harvard. He served as a lieutenant commander in the Navy from 1942 to 1945 in the Pacific, and ...
[12]
Stanley Grafton Mortimer Jr. Marries Kathleen Harriman, Secretary's ...
Miss Kathleen Harriman, daughter of the Secretary of Commerce, William Averell Harriman, and the late Mrs. Eugene Hillhouse Pool, was married this afternoon to ...
[13]
Advertising News and Notes - The New York Times
He will be account execu- tive for Trans World Airlines with Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. Advertisement. SKIP ADVERTISEMENT. James R. O'Connor, formerly with ...
[14]
Pan American Airways Names Advertising Chief - The New York ...
Pan American World Airways has named Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. advertising manager, effective June 1, it was announced yesterday by Willis G. Lipscomb, vice ...
[15]
Stanley Mortimer - San Francisco Chronicle
Aug 16, 1999 · Stanley Grafton Mortimer Jr., a sportsman, advertising executive and member of one of the founding families of the exclusive enclave of ...
[16]
STANLEY MORTIMER DEAD AT AGE OF 79; Former Polo Player ...
Stanley Grafton Mortimer, the former national racquets champion, is a nephew. A private funeral service will be held tomorrow morning at Mr. Mortimer's late ...
[17]
PRIX DE VERRIES | France Galop
Owner : MR STANLEY G. MORTIMER; Suppl. : Breeders : SUC. R. ADES. See horse details. 6 N°00. SAHARIENNE F.PS. 5 a. 62 kg. J : PHILIPPE CHEVALIER T : P.Missing: thoroughbred | Show results with:thoroughbred
[18]
Brilliant Triumph Advances Leonard to Semi-Finals in Gold Racquet ...
Ingersoll, wielder of the hardest forehand in the game, eliminated Stanley G. Mortimer Jr. of Tuxedo and Stewart Iglehart of Westbury. Pell, who drew a bye in ...
[19]
Grant and Fincke Gain Final in Gold Racguet Tournament; FINCKE ...
Three matches were played in the doubles tournament. Grant, paired with C. J. Dexter of Philadelphia, defeated Fincke and Stanley G. Mortimer Jr., 6-15, 15 ...
[20]
GRANT GAINS FINAL FOR GOLD RACQUET; Pearson Triumphs in ...
... Stanley G. Mortimer Jr., Tuxedo, 6-2, 6-0: Stafford McLean, Tuxedo, defeated Winston Frost, New York, 6-3, 6-3. Second Round-A. B. Martin, New York ...
[21]
Barbara (Cushing) Paley (1915-1978) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree
Aug 28, 2019 · She graduated from Winsor School in Boston in 1934. Barbara married Stanley Grafton Mortimer Jr. (1913-1999) on 21 Sep 1940 at St. Luke's ...Missing: date | Show results with:date<|control11|><|separator|>
[22]
Stanley Grafton Mortimer III - Biographical Summaries of Notable ...
Stanley Grafton Mortimer III is the brother of Amanda Burden. Birth: 1942. Relatives. Relation, Name, Birth.
[23]
Amanda M. Burden | Bloomberg Associates
Ms. Burden holds a Master of Science degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College and an Honorary ...
[24]
David HArriman Mortimer - Prabook
Mortimer, David HArriman was born on October 25, 1948 in New York City. Son of Stanley Grafton Junior and Kathleen (Harriman) Mortimer. Education. Bachelor ...
[25]
JAY MORTIMER Obituary (2025) - New York, NY - Legacy
Jan 26, 2025 · Jay Lawrance Mortimer, beloved husband, father, and friend passed away peacefully in his home on December 19, 2024 at the age of 74, following a long illness ...
[26]
Averell Harriman Mortimer - Prabook
Mortimer, Averell Harriman was born on November 7, 1956 in New York City. Son of Stanley G. Mortimer and Kathleen L. . Education. Bachelor, University ...
[27]
Jay L. Mortimer Weds Prudence Bach - The New York Times
Jun 27, 1986 · Prudence Halle Bach was married yesterday to Jay Lawrance Mortimer at the home of her father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. Julian Bach, in Manhattan.
[28]
Stanley Grafton Mortimer, Jr. (1913 - 1999) - Genealogy - Geni
Aug 16, 2024 · Stanley Grafton Mortimer Jr. (May 12, 1913 – August 11, 1999) was an American sportsman and advertising executive. Mortimer was born in Tuxedo, ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[29]
Kathleen Harriman Mortimer, a Scion of Wealth, Dies at 93
Feb 19, 2011 · Kathleen Lanier Harriman was born on Dec. 7, 1917, the younger of ... A few weeks ago, David Mortimer came upon two thick leather-bound ...
[30]
Paid Notice: Memorials MORTIMER, STANLEY G. JR.
Sep 19, 1999 · MORTIMER-Stanley G. Jr., died on August 11 at his home in Harriman, NY, after a long illness. A memorial service will be held at St. Thomas ...Missing: horse racing