Mary Williamson Averell
Mary Williamson Averell was an American philanthropist and the wife of railroad executive E. H. Harriman. Born in New York to a successful family, Averell married Harriman in 1879. Averells father introduced Harriman to the railroad business. After Harrimans death, his wife was left with between 70 and 100 million. She became dedicated to philanthropy, donating the land that became Harriman State Park and largely funding the development of the controversial Eugenics Record Office. Averell had several children her son, W. Averell Harriman became governor of New York and her daughter Mary Harriman Rumsey founded the Junior League.
Mary Williamson Averell was born on July 22, 1851 in New York City. She was tutored at home and completed her education at a finishing school with the expectation that one day she would become a fine wife and mother for some young man of equal or greater social standing than the Averells. Marys father, William J. Averell was a successful New York banker and president of the Ogdensburg and Lake Champlain Railroad.
Source: Wikipedia