Written by: Michael Rodriguez

Evelyn Nesbit: The Original "It Girl" of the Gilded Age

Evelyn Nesbit, a striking beauty and talented performer, was at the center of a scandalous love triangle that captivated the nation in the early 20th century. Her tumultuous relationships with two of the most powerful men of her time, architect Stanford White and multimillionaire Harry Kendall Thaw, would ultimately lead to one of the most sensational murder trials in American history.

Rise to Fame

Born Florence Evelyn Nesbit on December 25, 1884, or 1885, in Pennsylvania, Nesbit began her career as an artist's model in Philadelphia at the tender age of 14. Her family soon moved to New York City, where she became a sought-after model for prominent artists, including James Carroll Beckwith, Frederick S. Church, and the famous Charles Dana Gibson, who idealized her as the quintessential "Gibson Girl."

Nesbit's beauty and charm soon translated to the stage, where she became a chorus girl and eventually a featured star on Broadway. Her performances caught the attention of wealthy patrons, including Stanford White, who would become a significant figure in her life.

A Scandalous Love Triangle

In 1905, Nesbit married Harry Kendall Thaw, a multimillionaire 14 years her senior, despite his history of mental instability and abusive behavior. However, her relationship with Thaw was complicated by her ongoing affair with Stanford White, who had allegedly drugged and raped her when she was unconscious.

The love triangle came to a deadly end on June 25, 1906, when Thaw shot and killed White at the rooftop theatre of Madison Square Garden. The subsequent trial, dubbed the "Trial of the Century," was a media sensation, with Nesbit's testimony and the details of her relationships with both men captivating the nation.

The Trial of the Century

The trial was a masterclass in sensational journalism, with newspapers devoting entire pages to the scandal. Nesbit's testimony, in which she alleged that White had drugged and raped her, was a turning point in the trial. Thaw's defense team argued that he had killed White in a fit of rage, driven by his own obsessive love for Nesbit and a desire to avenge her honor.

In the end, Thaw was found not guilty by reason of temporary insanity, but the trial's aftermath was far from over. Nesbit's reputation was forever linked to the scandal, and she would spend the rest of her life trying to escape its shadow.

Later Life and Legacy

After the trial, Nesbit toured Europe with a dance troupe and gave birth to a son, Russell Thaw, in 1906. She continued to perform on stage and screen, eventually making her way to Hollywood, where she worked as an actress and a dancer.

Despite her tumultuous past, Nesbit remained a beloved figure in American popular culture, symbolizing the glamour and excess of the Gilded Age. Her life served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the destructive power of love.

Trivia and Fun Facts

• Nesbit was one of the most photographed women of her time, with her image appearing on calendars, postcards, and magazine advertisements.
• She was a pioneer of the "pin-up girl" genre, paving the way for future generations of models and actresses.
• Nesbit's life was immortalized in the 1955 film "The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing," starring Joan Collins.

Evelyn Nesbit's life was a whirlwind of passion, drama, and tragedy, but her legacy as a cultural icon and a symbol of American excess remains unrivaled to this day.