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C. Oliver Iselin

1854 – 1932

American yacht racer

Banker BankingYachtsman
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About C. Oliver Iselin

Lived 1854 – 1932 (aged 77). C. Oliver Iselin was an American banker, banking and yachtsman.

Charles Oliver Iselin (June 8, 1854 – January 1, 1932) was an American banker and yachtsman who was captain of racing yachts that won the America's Cup three times. where the Iselin's had been merchants, public officials, and military and professional men since the 14th century. Isaac amassed a large fortune in the importing business, and his descendants became private bankers and philanthropists in New York City and New Rochelle, New York.

Education He was educated at Columbia University, graduating in 1874 with a LL.B.

Yachting Oliver was considered to be one of the greatest American yachtsmen of his time, participating in and winning six consecutive America's Cup races: 1887, 1893, 1895, 1899, 1901 and 1903. He built a large breakwater next to his Premium Point, New Rochelle estate All View so that he could dock his yachts Defender, Reliance and Columbia safely at home. In 1994 Oliver Iselin was inducted into the Herreshoff Marine Museum's America's Cup Hall of Fame.

Personal life Iselin was first married to Frances (Fannie) Margaretta Garner (1861–1890) with whom he had four children including a son, C. Oliver Jr. (1890–1979), who named his son, C. Oliver III (1927–2017). After her death, he married Hope Goddard (1868–1970), who was the first woman ever to serve as part of the crew on an America's Cup yacht, in 1894.

Iselin died on January 1, 1932, at Glen Head on Long Island.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Awards
America's Cup Hall of Fame
Also known as
Oliver Iselin, Charles Oliver Iselin

Family & relationships

Spouse
Hope Goddard Iselin
Parent
Adrian G Iselin

People in C. Oliver Iselin's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped C. Oliver Iselin's

Frequently asked questions

Who was C. Oliver Iselin?

American yacht racer (1854–1932)

When was C. Oliver Iselin born?

C. Oliver Iselin was born on 8 June 1854 in New York City.

When did C. Oliver Iselin die?

C. Oliver Iselin died on 1 January 1932 in Glen Head.

What was C. Oliver Iselin's occupation?

C. Oliver Iselin was a banker, banking and yachtsman.

What nationality was C. Oliver Iselin?

C. Oliver Iselin was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: C. Oliver Iselin

· Wikidata: Q5081365

· DBpedia: C. Oliver Iselin

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). C. Oliver Iselin. https://biography.guide/c-oliver-iselin/

MLA: "C. Oliver Iselin." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/c-oliver-iselin/.

Chicago: "C. Oliver Iselin." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/c-oliver-iselin/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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