Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage

Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, known as Olivia Sage (8 September 1828-4 November 1918), was an American philanthropist known for her contributions to education and progressive causes. In 1869 she married the robber baron Russell Sage as his second wife. At his death in 1906, she inherited a fortune estimated at more than $63,000,000, to be used at her discretion.

A former teacher, Sage strongly supported education, both with program and building grants to Syracuse and other universities. She established the Russell Sage Foundation in 1907 and founded Russell Sage College in 1916, as well as endowing programs for women.

Margaret Olivia Slocum, called Olivia, was born in Syracuse, New York, to Margaret (Pierson) and Joseph Slocum. After the Panic of 1837 and the decline of canal traffic with the construction of railroads, his businesses and warehouses began to fail. Olivia's early life was haunted by her father's financial struggles, but she was educated in private schools and graduated from the Troy Female Seminary (later called the Emma Willard School) in 1847.

Olivia Slocum supported herself by teaching for 20 years in Syracuse, New York, where she lived with her parents, and Philadelphia. Her father continued to struggle and in 1857, fatally ill with tuberculosis, sold their family home in Syracuse. Olivia and her mother had to move in with relatives.

During the Civil War, Olivia Slocum moved to Philadelphia, where she worked as a governess for a wealthy family. She also volunteered in a military hospital.

In 1869 at age 41, Olivia Slocum married Russell Sage, a widower, financier and robber baron who was 12 years older than she. They had no children. She became involved in activities in which her role as his wife defined her. In 1906 Sage died and left his entire fortune of about $70 million to Olivia.

...
Wikipedia