Dodge, Geraldine R.

Dodge, (Ethel) Geraldine R. (Rockefeller) (1882–1973) philanthropist, dog breeder; born in New York City. The daugher of William and niece of John D. Rockefeller, she loved dogs and became an accomplished horsewoman. In 1907 she married Marcellus Hartley Dodge, an heir to the Remington Arms fortune. Established near Morristown, N.J., at Giralda Farms, she lavished her attention on dogs as a breeder, shower, judge, and author. She founded the largest one-day dog show in the world (Morris & Essex Dog Show, 1927–57) as well as St. Hubert's Giralda, an animal shelter (1937). Her only child, Hartley Dodge, died in an automobile accident in 1930; her husband predeceased her by ten years. Her estate was incorporated into the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation (1975), devoted especially to preventing cruelty to animals and encouraging art.