Origins & Early Life

Alva Erskine Belmont (née Smith; January 17, 1853 – January 26, 1933), known as Alva Vanderbilt from 1875 to 1896, was an American multi-millionaire socialite and women's suffrage activist. She was noted for her energy, intelligence, strong opinions, and willingness to challenge convention. In 1909, she founded the Political Equality Association to get votes for suffrage-supporting New York State politicians, wrote articles for newspapers, and joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). She later formed her own Political Equality Association to seek broad support for suffrage in neighborhoods throughout New York City, and, as its president, led its division of New York City's 1912 Women's Votes Parade.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1916, she was one of the founders of the National Woman's Party (NWP) and organized the first picketing ever to take place before the White House, in January 1917. She was elected president of the NWP, an office she held until her death. She was married twice, to socially prominent New York City millionaires William Kissam Vanderbilt, with whom she had three children, and Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont. Alva was known for her many building projects, including the...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alphonse Bertillon — Contemporary (Born in 1853) (1853): Pioneering biometrics researcher who developed anthropometry for criminal identification.
• Cecil Rhodes — Contemporary (Born in 1853) (1853): British mining magnate and politician who established Rhodesia and De Beers.
• Chulalongkorn — Contemporary (Born in 1853) (1853): Modernizer of Siam, ensuring its independence through sweeping reforms.
• 13th Dalai Lama — Contemporary (Died in 1933) (1933): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Adolph Caesar — Contemporary (Born in 1933) (1933): Acclaimed American actor known for his deep voice and Off-Broadway staple status.
• Akihito — Contemporary (Born in 1933) (1933): 125th Emperor of Japan; reigned during the Heisei era (1989-2019).
• Al Capone — Shared historical date (01-17 · Born) (1899): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alain Badiou — Shared historical date (01-17 · Born) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• A. E. van Vogt — Shared historical date (01-26 · Died) (2000): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.
• Akio Morita — Shared historical date (01-26 · Born) (1921): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
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• 1933 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1933
• January 26 (01-26) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 26