Adorable Story #109: Woodbury Kane
A Gentleman and Soldier: The Rough Rider Who Defined the Gilded Age Spirit
“Kane is both salt and spice”
— Battery Commander John H. Parker
Woodbury Kane was a quintessential figure of the Gilded Age, a man whose life blended high society glamour with bold adventure.
Born into one of America’s wealthiest and most influential families, Kane was far from a passive, idle heir: educated at Harvard, he excelled both academically and athletically, earning a reputation for his charm, elegance, and zest for life.
A natural leader and a man of refined tastes, Kane became a fixture of New York and Newport’s elite social circles, all while pursuing daring endeavors that set him apart from his peers.
Table of Contents: Who Was Woodbury Kane? / Family Background / Education / Spanish–American War Service / Helping Veterans / Accomplished Yachtsman / Personal Life / Did you know?
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Who Was Woodbury Kane?
Woodbury Langdon Kane was born on February 8th, 1859, in Newport, Rhode Island, into one of America’s wealthiest and most prominent families.
His lineage traced back to Colonial-era New England families, as he was a great-grandson of Woodbury Langdon (1739–1805), a prominent merchant and statesman, brother of John Langdon, a Founding Father, Senator and Governor of New Hampshire.
Over the course of his life, Woodbury Kane built a reputation as a courageous soldier, an adventurer, bon vivant, and accomplished sportsman.
Family Background
His family, part of the elite “Four Hundred” of New York society, included influential bankers, merchants, and politicians.
His father, Oliver DeLancey Kane (1816-1894), came from a long line of wealthy merchants, while his mother, Louisa Langdon Kane (1821-1894), was a descendant of the Langdon family, known for their political and commercial prominence in New England.
Woodbury Kane was one of 4 children and a cousin of John Jacob Astor IV, the richest passenger aboard the Titanic, who was thought to be among the richest people in the world at that time, with a net worth of roughly USD 87 million (approximately USD 2.5 billion today).
Education
In 1878, Woodbury Kane entered Harvard College, one of the most prestigious schools of the time, where he was known as much for his charm and social connections as for his academic pursuits. During university he was a member of the Hasty Pudding and Porcellian Clubs and other organizations.
While at Harvard he became a close friend of Theodore Roosevelt.
At Harvard, Kane stood out not only as an excellent student but also for his athletic prowess. He played football and excelled at cricket, tennis, and polo. His classmates admired his grace, energy, and enthusiasm for sports, which extended to boxing and running races.
With his upright posture, athletic build, and natural elegance, Kane had a magnetic presence among his peers: his refined manners, good humor, and zest for life made him a leader and a memorable figure in college circles.
After completing his studies in law, he moved to New York where he started working as a lawyer and became a director of the Metropolitan Register Company.
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