Carrie Fulton Phillips
| Carrie Fulton Phillips | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Caroline Fulton September 23, 1873 near Bucyrus, Ohio |
| Died | February 3, 1960 (aged 86) Marion, Ohio |
| Nationality | USA |
| Known for | The mistress of Warren G. Harding from 1905 until 1920 |
Caroline "Carrie" Phillips (née Fulton; September 22, 1873 – February 3, 1960) was the mistress of Warren G. Harding, 29th President of the United States. The young Carrie Fulton was known by admirers to have epitomized the Gibson Girl portrait of beauty, a look popular at the turn of the 20th century. Her relationship with Senator Warren G. Harding was kept secret from the public during its time and for decades thereafter. The affair ended when Phillips blackmailed Harding during the Senator's run for office for President of the United States.
Phillips is the only woman known to have successfully blackmailed a major United States political party.
Born September 22, 1873, in Dayton, Ohio, Phillips was the only daughter of Matthew Henry Fulton (1840–1906) and his wife Kate M. Swingly (1851 – after 1873). She had five younger brothers: George Fred, Percy Matthew, James Edward, Thomas Durman, and Chester Courtney Fulton. She was raised by her parents in Bucyrus, Ohio, where her father was a telegraph operator.
Her paternal grandfather, George Washington Fulton (1802–1864), was a successful businessman and engineer active in developing the town of New Brighton, Pennsylvania. George married Mary Ann Kennedy (1812–1887), a sister of Matthew T. Kennedy (1804–1884) and Samuel Kennedy (1810–1886), brothers who established the Kennedy Keg Works first at Fallston, Pennsylvania (1836), and later opened a second operation in New Brighton (1876). George was successful in various ventures, from lumber to real estate, some in connection with his brothers-in-law, with his family reaping the advantages of his success in wealth, comfort, and education.
Carrie married James Phillips in 1896, and the couple moved to Marion where Phillips was co-proprietor of the Uhler-Phillips Company, one of Marion's leading dry goods establishments. The couple quickly established themselves as active members of the local society, in large part due to Phillips’ charm and beauty. Among Phillips's friends and confidants was Florence Harding, wife of the owner and publisher of the city's leading newspaper, The Marion Star.
James and Carrie had two children, daughter Isabel (1897–1968) and son James, Jr. (1899–1901). The boy died as a toddler, and, during this time of grief Mrs. Phillips and Warren Harding grew close, despite their respective marriages and friendships. The Phillipses and the Hardings undertook tours of Europe together, all while Phillips and Harding carried on their intimate relationship.
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