Hattie Bishop Speed

Who was Hattie Bishop Speed?

Hattie Bishop Speed was a pianist, humanist, and philanthropist who championed music and the arts in Louisville, Kentucky.

Born Harriett Theresa Bishop in Louisville on February 12, 1858, Hattie attended Louisville and Boston private schools before going to Europe in 1886. Her music education continued for six years there in Berlin and Rome at the age of 28. Upon returning to Louisville, Ms. Bishop resumed her life as a piano teacher and performer. As a music student in Rome in the late 1880s and early 1890s, Hattie Bishop became close friends with Anita Vedder, daughter of the American expatriate painter, Elihu Vedder. After visiting the Vedders at their homes in Rome and on the island of Capri, Hattie came to know American painters, Charles Caryl Coleman and George Randolph Barse.

Hattie Bishop married prominent Louisville businessman, James Breckinridge Speed, in 1906. She was 48 and he was 62. His first wife, Cora Coffin Speed, had died the year prior. Traveling extensively throughout the US as well as abroad, the two enjoyed collecting paintings and sculptures.

With James Speed’s death in 1912, Hattie established the Speed Art Museum to memorialize of her husband of his love of art. Mrs. Speed served as the first president and director of the art museum.