Rockefeller, Abby Aldrich

Rockefeller, Abby (Greene) Aldrich (1874–1948) philanthropist, art patron; born in Providence, R.I. (daughter of Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich; mother of Nelson A. Rockefeller). A debutante who married John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1901, she directed much of her generous philanthropy toward art. She was instrumental in founding (1929) the Museum of Modern Art, of which she was a major benefactor. With her husband she helped plan the restoration of colonial Williamsburg, where she initiated the folk art collection that bears her name.