Forsyth Wickes

Forsyth Wickes (October 26, 1876 – December 20, 1964) was an art collector and philanthropist.

Early life Wickes was born in New York City on October 26, 1876. He was the son of Edward Allen Wickes (1843–1918) and Mary Forsyth Wickes (1847–1933).

He spent much of his childhood in France and graduated from St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts, in 1894.

He graduated from Yale University in 1898 and Columbia Law School in 1900, where he was one of the founders of the Columbia Law Review. He was a lawyer by profession and became the senior partner of Wickes, Riddell, Bloomer, Jacobi and McGuire in New York City.

He married Marian Arnot Haven (1880–1969), with whom he had four daughters.

First World War Wickes joined the U.S. Army and entered the Plattsburgh Training Camp in August, 1917. He was commissioned as a captain in the Infantry on November 8, 1917. He was shipped immediately overseas for service with the War Risk Insurance. He arrived in Paris on December 26, and was assigned to direct the processing of war risk insurance for officers and men of the 1st, 2nd, 42nd and 26th Divisions stationed at Neufchâteau.

On February 1, 1918, he was appointed as the Assistant Chief Liaison Officer for organizing liaison service in Paris and surrounding areas, as well as the army in the field. In late March, 1918 he was assigned to the general staff of the 1st Division, and served with the 1st Division from April to June, being stationed during this period with the 162nd and 60th French Divisions.

He was reassigned in July to the staff of the American V Corps, and was stationed with the French 33rd Corps in the Vosges, remaining there until September. He was then reassigned to the staff of Major General Paul A. M. Maistre, commander of the French Group of Armies of the center, and served there until December 19, 1918. Wickes was promoted to the rank of major on September 12, 1918.

During the above period the 1st Division (American) and the 162nd and 60th French Divisions held a portion of the line in front of Montdidier. The French 33rd Corps held the Vosges mountains from north of Saint-Dié to Thann. General Maistre commanded the 4th and 5th French Armies on the left of the American 1st Army in the Argonne.

After the Armistice in November, Wickes was ordered home in December, 1918 and mustered out of the service on January 7, 1919.

In recognition of his service, Wickes was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal

Residences He maintained residences in Manhattan and Tuxedo Park, New York.

Prior to 1948 he had a home in Paris as well as the chateau de Courtmoulin (1929) near Gaillon located in Eure.

He owned two adjacent estates on Narragansett Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island—Zeerust, which was his primary residence, and Starboard House, which housed much of his extensive art collection.

Memberships He was a member of the Knickerbocker Club of New York, and the Clambake Club, Newport Country Club, Newport Reading Room and Bailey's Beach in Newport.

Death Wickes died at his home in Newport on December 20, 1964, at the age of 88. He was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newburgh, New York.

Philanthropy Wickes' will dictated that his executors would donate his art collection to a suitable institution. In December, 1965 it was decided to donate the collection to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. His estate also donated a large number of books on military subjects to the library of the United States Naval War College in Newport.

Wickes provided for the base and plaques for the statue of the Comte de Rochambeau which stands in King Park in Newport, Rhode Island.

Awards Distinguished Service Medal